Bay Path Awarded Runner-Up Title in 2009 NECC Women's Tennis Team Champions

LEICESTER, Mass- Becker College defeated Bay Path 6-3 to capture the New England Collegiate Conference Tennis Championship. This match was the deciding game between the two teams as they finished tied during the final week of regular season play, the game was halted last week due to darkness.

The Hawks started out on the right foot by taking two out of three doubles matches. In number one singles Danielle Stryker (Ledyard, Conn) and Shauna McNally (Worcester, Mass) defeated Julia Bendzin (Poestenkill, NY) and Kara Fox (Biddeford, ME)  9-7. In number two doubles Megan Nessen (Levittown, PA) and NECC Rookie of the Year Laura Mimms (Ashland, Mass) defeated Cristina Ruiz (Waterbury, Conn) and Sarah Costa (Tiverton, RI) 8-6.

The Wildcats took the final doubles match when Carolina Ynguanzo (Springfield, Mass) and Lianna Loveitt (Gorham, ME) defeated Jesse Burdick (Clinton, Mass) and Sarah Ryzewski (Spencer, Mass) 8-3.

In Singles action, NECC Player of the Year, Julia Bendzin made quick work of Megan Nessen 6-1, 6-0.With the match tied at two all, Jesse Burdick defeated Lianna Loveitt 6-3, 6-3.  Bay Path refused to go down easy, as Kara Fox won a seesaw affair with Sarah Ryzewski 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. The Hawks won the remaining three singles matches to capture their first New England Collegiate Conference Championship.

Laura Mimms put the Hawks up 4-3 when she defeated Cristina Ruiz 6-4, 6-0. Becker sealed the victory when Shauna McNally won a thrilling four set match against Carolina Ynguanzo 6-4, 7-6, 7-3, 6-1.

Becker finished their championship season with a 13-5 record overall and 7-1 in the NECC. Bay Path finished the season with a record of 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the NECC for the runners-up title. Coming in third was the Nighthawks of Newbury College with a 7-8 overall record and 4-4 in conference play. Fourth place went to "newcomer" Lesley University. The Lynx finished with a 5-7 regular season and 2-6 in the NECC. Rounding out the placement was the Mitchell College Mariners with a 2-11 season record and 1-7 in conference play.

Tennis Match Results
Bay Path College vs Becker College
10/21/2009 at Leicester, MA

Becker College 6, Bay Path College 3

Singles competition
1. Julia Bendzin (BPWT) def. Megan Nessen (BCWT) 6-1, 6-0
2. Laura Mimms (BCWT) def. Cristina Ruiz (BPWT) 6-4, 6-0
3. Danielle Stryker (BCWT) def. Sarah Costa (BPWT) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
4. Shawna McNally (BCWT) def. Carolina Ynguanzo (BPWT) 4-6, 7-6, 7-3, 7-1
5. Jessica Burdick (BCWT) def. Lianna Loveitt (BPWT) 6-3, 6-3
6. Kara Fox (BPWT) def. Sarah Ryzewski (BCWT) 6-4, 5-7, 7-5

Doubles competition
1. Shawna McNally/Danielle Stryker (BCWT) def. Julia Bendzin/Kara Fox (BPWT) 9-7
2. Megan Nessen/Laura Mimms (BCWT) def. Cristina Ruiz/Sarah Costa (BPWT) 8-6
3. Carolina Ynguanzo/Lianna Loveitt (BPWT) def. Jessica Burdick/Sarah Ryzewski (BCWT) 8-3

Match Notes:
Bay Path College 9-3 (6-2 NECC)
Becker College 13-5 (7-1 NECC)
Becker wins 2009 New England Collegiate Conference Championship
T-2:42 

Courtesy of Becker Sports Information

LINKS:
To View Full Conference Statistics: http://www.neccathletics.com/sports/wten/2009-10/stats/confstat.htm

To View NECC Conference Only Statistics: http://www.neccathletics.com/sports/wten/2009-10/stats/2009_NECC_Conf_Records.pdf

Tournament Handbook & Directions: http://www.neccathletics.com/sports/wten/2009-10/files/2009_NECC_TENNIS_CHAMPIONSHIPS_HANDBOOK.pdf

NECC Tennis & Championship Guidelines: http://www.neccathletics.com/sports/wten/WTENNISguidelines.pdf

To View the All-Conference Release: http://www.neccathletics.com/sports/wten/2009-10/releases/2009NECCWTENNISALLCONF

To View Championships Stories and Brackets: http://www.neccathletics.com/sports/wten/2009-10/releases/2009NECCWTENNISTOURNCHAMPS