Smith lost
to Clark University in a cliffhanger match 3-6 on October 6 on the road.
The newly
formed doubles team got off to a slow start giving Clark a 3-0 lead. The
doubles were reconfigured because Sam Peikes was not able to play due to
academic conflict. Sam normally anchors number 1 doubles with Margaret Anne
Smith and number 3 singles. The 0-3 loss seemed, at first, to carry into
singles as Noa Dubin dropped her first set 0-6 at first singles and Janan
Fugel was down 1-4 at third singles while Morgan Barney was about to lose her
first set at 4th singles.
There were
glimmers of hope here and there as Annina van Riper entered the lineup at
number 6 singles and seemed to take charge early on leading 5-2 in the first
set. Margaret Anne Smith, in her steady, mentally strong way, worked her
magic completely derailing and frustrating her opponent with her calm demeanor
and her consistency. At this point, everything seemed to change. Smith
began to believe they could compete with Clark and compete they did. The
singles players gave their heart and soul to the fight. Margaret Anne was
first off the court with her victory followed by Janan, who came back from
being down 1-4 in the first set to winning in straight sets. Noa seemed to
reflect the change and got in the fight turning a corner and coming back to
power her way to a second set win even though she ended up dropping the third
set 3-6. Annina van Riper stayed determined and consistent and brought in a big
win in a close two-setter at 6th singles ending in a tiebreak victory.
Morgan Barney and Joanna Kim, at four and five singles
respectively , left it all on court, losing only after three long hard-fought
sets that left them exhausted.
The match
was in the balance until the very end. With their backs against the wall, Smith
showed their grit and determination and belief in themselves and their team.
The Pioneers came close to changing the history books. It was a match that
could have gone either way and there was no way of knowing until the very end.
It was truly the most exciting match of the season as Smith finished
after 10pm at Clark.
Smith
travels to MIT on Saturday, Oct 10 for the last dual
match of the fall season.