Coming off a dominant opening week, the women’s tennis team was again very succesful facing some of the toughest competition in the nation at the Swarthmore Invitational.
They found themselves very successful, having a pair of individual and doubles champions. By playing stiff competition, the Lions were able to use this tournament as a measuring stick for where they are at this point in the season.
“There was a lot of competition amongst all the teams,” said senior Paige Aiello. “This was basically the first time we’ve had tough competition this season, especially in doubles and as partners. We were all able to work on things and see how we’re competing as individual teams. I think that the tournament showed how deep our team really is all the way down the lineup because the end of our team truly dominated in their flights.”
Competition at the singles matches was fierce. The Lions saw two of their own, sophomore Alex Bologno and freshman Emma Allen, battle it out in the D bracket finals. Bologno edged Allen by a score of 6-3, 6-3 to take home the championship. Senior Lauren Balsamo of the College also took home a championship of her own, defeating senior Stephanie Chia of Stevens Institute of Technology. Balsamo won by scores of 7-5, 6-2.
Similarly to the singles competitions, the doubles competitions also had an all-Lion final. In the B bracket, Balsamo and Bologno faced Allen and junior Tara Criscuolo. While teammates outside of the match, Balsamo and Bologno came out victorious by a score of 8-2. In bracket A, Aiello and senior Karisse Bendijo completed the Lions’ doubles sweep. The duo defeated a pairing from Stevens Institute of Technology, 8-4.
“We all get along very well and I think our team bond and competitiveness will help us this season,” Bendijo said. “We have high expectations this year because we have many returning players and three new freshmen. With the mix of new comers and experienced players, I think this year will be great.”
The Lions are back in action when they face Richard Stockton College on Sept. 12 and hope to keep the ball rolling.
