Head coach Scott Dicheck picked up his 50th career win as both the men's and women's tennis teams went 2-0 for the week during their respective homestands.
The week began as the women's team downed Elizabethtown College 5-4 last Wednesday, taking two of three doubles matches and three of six singles matches. Sophomore Christina Contrafatto, freshman Haley Kutner and junior Kristen Turturiello won their respective matches in doubles and singles play.
Contrafatto joined with senior captain Jackie Gavornik at first doubles for the 8-4 victory and also notched a team point in first singles, beating her opponent 6-3, 6-2. Kutner and Turturiello teamed up at second doubles to dominate the opposition 8-0.
"This was a big week for us and we knew that we needed to play well in both matches," Kutner said. "I was definitely relieved after our win (against Elizabethtown). We were all really excited and pumped up before the Connecticut match."
The men's team continued the at-home action on Friday as they took down rival New York University (NYU) 4-3.
Sophomore Eric Ferriere tallied the match-winning point in fifth singles after beating freshman Craig Berger 6-4, 7-5 to give the College the win. Ferriere was one of three double-winners in the match as he collaborated with senior Justin Cook in third doubles to collect the 8-0 shutout.
Sophomore Mike Klimchak and freshman Roger Mosteller brought in the second doubles victory for the team point as they beat their NYU opponents 8-2 to bring their combined dual match record to 8-0 in doubles.
Klimchak also played at second singles and overpowered freshman Calvin Chou 6-0, 6-2, while Mosteller fought back for his own 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory to help the Lions win.
This past Saturday, both teams rolled past Connecticut College to give Dicheck his 50th career win in his seventh year with the Lions. The men's team crushed the Camels in a 7-0 victory to bring their record on the season to 7-3.
Ferriere continued his hot streak as he clobbered his opponent 6-0, 6-0 at third singles and united with Cook at second doubles to take the 8-4 win. Ferriere now stands at 10-0 this season in singles play.
Klimchak also continued his success in first singles, winning his match 6-0, 6-1, he joined with freshman Will Daly in first doubles to take the 8-6 victory. Daly also tallied a win at fourth singles knocking down his opponent 6-1, 6-4.
In the women's final match of the season, Kutner continued her success, clinching the win for the Lions at second singles as she outlasted junior Amanda Poe to take the match 6-3, 6-4, 6-0, which gave the Lions a 5-4 win and pushed them to 12-2 on the year.
"I was pleased with my performances in the last two matches," Kutner said. "Once I regained my focus, I played pretty well. While the matches were important for my own record, I am glad that the wins helped the team score."
Kutner was once again a double-winner with Turturiello, as they took the second doubles match away from Connecticut by a score of 8-5. Turturiello won her third singles match 6-1, 6-3.
The wins put the Lions one step closer to competing in the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament, but participating teams will not be posted until April 30. The men's team still has one match remaining today at 1 p.m., when it hosts Bates College in what will decide the Lions' postseason future.
