ITA Regional Tournament Provides A Plethora of Experience For All

ITA Highlights
Some of the best division III players in the nation gathered at Middlebury College September 25-27 for the ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) regional singles and doubles tournament and Smith College players were among the participants.  Taking the singles title was Eudice Chong of Wesleyan defeating teammate Victoria Yu and Yu and Chong teamed up to win the doubles over Cheng and Likhanskaia of Bowdoin.  The Wesleyan and Bowdoin players will move on to the national ITA later in October representing the northeast region.  We wish them well.

Smith Highlights at the ITA

Margaret Anne Smith

The three representatives from Smith took the challenge this weekend and gave their best and much was gained from the experience.  The three individuals representing Smith were Noa Dubin, Margaret Anne Smith and Samantha Peikes. Noa and Margaret Anne represented Smith in singles and Margaret Anne paired up with Samantha Peikes in the doubles.  All three players came with the attitude to compete and compete they did.   Collectively, they played a total of 10 matches over the course of 2 days!  There is only one draw for this tournament and there are no easy matches as each school brings the top players in their line-up.  In the main draw, Noa Dubin competed against Karen Kremchenko of Brandeis and Margaret Anne Smith drew Pilar Giffenig of Bowdoin.  In doubles main draw, Smith and Peikes found themselves against second seed and eventual finalist Cheng and Likhanskaia of Bowdoin.  The Smith players, undaunted by their main draw losses, immediately signed up for singles only competition on day 2.  Dubin drew Dasha Dubinsky (Wesleyan) in first round of the back draw losing 1-8 and went on to take on Korina Neveux of Williams dropping the proset 1-8.  Samantha Peikes joined the singles players on day 2 and was pitted against Lauren Amos of Middlebury where she fell 0-8 and then took on EmilyOlson of Wellesley for an 0-8 loss.

Once again, Margaret Anne Smith came through for Smith College losing her first match to Timo Iwasaka of Tufts (2-8) and then rebounding for the important win against Isabella Gorham of Wheaton 9-7.  In true to form style, Margaret Anne analyzed the situation applying pressure at the right time and outlasting the opposition with her determination and consistency.  It was just a week ago that Izzy Gorham took a match and point from Peikes in dual match play!  Smith Tennis was able to end the weekend on a high posting a win before returning to Northampton.

What Is Next?
Smith is back in action on Tuesday, Septemeber 29 against rival, Springfield College.  Smith must win this match as well as to notch wins over Clark and Emerson to qualify as the final team to be selected to the NEWMAC conference tournament in October.  The match is slated to start at 4pm and all are invited to come and support the Pioneers on their home courts.