The No. 18-ranked Bowdoin Women's Tennis Team defeated No. 15-ranked Middlebury on Saturday during the Bowdoin Tennis Alumni Weekend. The victory brings the Polar Bears to a 7-5 overall record.
The team won 6-3, with important victories from the doubles teams of captain Sarah D'Elia '09 and Emily Lombardi '12, and Rachel Waldman '09 and Charlotte Hitch '09.
D'Elia remains undefeated in No. 1 singles play this season, as she coasted to a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Middlebury's Tori Aiello. In doubles play, D'Elia and Lombardi also triumphed in their 6-4 victory at No. 1 doubles. D'Elia was recently ranked No. 2 in the northeast, and the D'Elia/Lombardi duo was ranked No. 4 in the northeast.
"Sarah and Emily are playing really well together, and are comfortable with one another on the court, which makes it easy for them to dominate," Waldman said.
At No. 2 doubles, Waldman and Hitch won a vital match in a tiebreaker. The doubles pair had defeated Amherst in a tiebreaker the previous week.
Liz Pedowitz '10 reflected on the team's attitude approaching their match against Middlebury.
"After our close loss to Amherst, we were fired up and knew we could take Middlebury this weekend," Pedowitz said.
In addition, Waldman explained that the Bears were thoroughly prepared to face their Middlebury opponents.
"We knew who we'd match up with in the singles lineup so we prepared individually for our matches," Waldman said. "I have played Clare Burke many times in the past, and I knew exactly how she was going to play and what I had to do to beat her."
The Bears began the singles matches already ahead 2-1 following the doubles play.
"It's always nice to be ahead after doubles," Waldman said. "It takes the pressure off of singles and gave everyone confidence as we took four of the remaining six matches."
The team looks to take on top-ranked Williams away this weekend.
"On paper, Williams has a lot of talent, as they are the reigning national champions," Pedowitz said. "But we match up with them well, and look forward to the opportunity to step it up and win this weekend."