Courtesy Williams Sports Information

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Williams came away with a 5-0 win over Wellesley in the regional final of the 2008 NCAA Women's Tennis Tournament. The Ephs advance to face the winner of the Johns Hopkins/Mary Washington winner in the quarterfinals on May 13 at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minn.

The Ephs played three solid doubles matches, but Wellesley seemed determined to not bow out so easily. Williams was challenged early on in singles play. At court one, Cary Gibson struggled to find her game and fell in the first, 1-6. Both Ashley Parsons and Nikki Reich managed to take a first set of each of their matches, 6-4, but battled to do so.

At court two, Grace Baljon’s power hitting proved too tough for her opponent and she tallied the fourth point of the match for Williams with a 6-4, 6-2 result. Reich had upped the intensity of play at court four, and minutes after Baljon’s victory, sealed the match for the Ephs with a 6-4, 6-1 finish.

“Wellesley is a very good team, and they pushed us,” said Williams head coach Alison Swain. “But we showed we’re ready. We’re peaking at the right time, and playing very well. We’re thrilled to be going to Minnesota!”

Williams 5, Wellesley 0

Doubles
1 - Cary Gibson/Annie Schneidman (Williams) def. Jenna Mezin/Hali Walther (Wellesley) - 8-2
2 - Allie Rottkamp/Grace Baljon (Williams) def. Jen Schwarzkopf/Trish Devine (Wellesley) -
8-4
3 - Annie Hancock/Nikki Reich (Williams) def. Shivani Saxena/Jacqueline Shen (Wellesley) -
8-5

Singles
1 - Cary Gibson (Williams) tied with Jenna Mezin (Wellesley) - 1-6, 6-1 DNF
2 - Grace Baljon (Williams) def. Jen Schwarzkopf (Wellesley) - 6-3, 6-2
3 - Ashley Parsons (Williams) led. Meghan Stubblebine (Wellesley) - 6-4, 4-3
4 - Nikki Reich (Williams) def. Trish Devine (Wellesley) - 6-4, 6-1
5 - Allie Rottkamp (Williams) vs. Shivani Saxena (Wellesley) - DNP
6 - Annie Hancock (Williams) vs. Jacqueline Shen (Wellesley) - DNP