Bay Path Sinks Mariners in NECC Match

NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Mitchell College women's tennis team dropped its NECC opener against Bay Path College, 8-1, Tuesday afternoon at New London High School.

The Wildcats (4-2 overall, 1-1 NECC) started the day with convincing wins at all three doubles spots and carried the momentum over to singles play. Bay Path won five of the six singles matches, all of which came in straight sets.

Mitchell (0-4 overall, 0-1 NECC) saw its only victory of the match come at the No. 2 position, where freshman Erica Fazio (Waterford, Conn.) dropped the first set 4-6 but rallied back to take the second set 6-3. After the teams decided to play a tiebreaker in lieu of a third set, Fazio defeated senior Cristina Ruiz (Waterbury, Conn.) by a 10-1 final in the tiebreaker.

Senior Julia Bendzin (Poestenkill, N.Y.) led the charge for the Wildcats, defeating freshman Julie Felts (Carver, Mass.) at No. 1 singles after teaming with senior Kara Fox (Biddeford, Maine) for a victory at No. 1 doubles. Fox was also victorious at No. 6 singles, beating Mitchell freshman Caitlin Brown (San Mateo, Calif.) by a 6-1, 6-1 final.

Mitchell will next play at Lesley College on Thursday, September 24 at 6 p.m. Bay Path will next host Lesley on Saturday, September 26 at 1 p.m.

Tennis Match Results
Bay Path vs Mitchell
09/22/2009 at New London, Conn.

 Bay Path 8, Mitchell 1

Singles competition
1. Julia Bendzin (BPWT) def. Julie Felts (MCWT) 6-3, 6-1
2. Erica Fazio (MCWT) def. Cristina Ruiz (BPWT) 4-6, 6-3, 10-1
3. Sarah Costa (BPWT) def. Miah Manning (MCWT) 6-1, 6-1
4. Carolina Ynguanzo (BPWT) def. Ilana Papernik (MCWT) 6-1, 6-1
5. Lianna Loveitt (BPWT) def. Carly Croce (MCWT) 7-5, 6-2
6. Kara Fox (BPWT) def. Caitlin Brown (MCWT) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Kara Fox/Julia Bendzin (BPWT) def. Julie Felts/Erica Fazio (MCWT) 8-2
2. Cristina Ruiz/Sarah Costa (BPWT) def. Miah Manning/Carly Croce (MCWT) 8-2
3. Lianna Loveitt/Carolina Ynguanzo (BPWT) def. Ilana Papernik/Julie Embley (MCWT) 8-1

Match Notes:
Bay Path 4-2 (1-1)
Mitchell 0-4 (0-1)
T-3:20  A-15

Story Courtesy of Mitchell Sports Information Director David Longolucco