Wrapping up their 2012 fall campaign, the College’s tennis team ended their season at the ITA Northeast Regional hosted by William Smith College. The tournament was a three-day event beginning on Saturday and concluding on Monday with more than 70 student-athletes, representing 24 institutions. Ending the fall season against some of the toughest competition in the Northeast will serve as a great measuring stick for how the Lions will need to prepare come springtime.
In a monster 64-player singles championship, the Lions saw success, once again showcasing the depth of their team. Five of the six players in the singles tournament, advanced past the first round for the Lions. Senior Paige Aiello and freshman Jasmine Muniz-Cadorette went the deepest into the tournament, advancing to the third round of the tournament. In an epic three matches, Aiello lost by set scores 5-7, 7-5, 6-3.
The Lions added to their success, by advancing deep into a 32 pairing doubles championship. The Lions had two pairings of Muniz-Cadorette and sophomore Deborah Wu, and Aiello and senior Karisse Bendijo partake in the championship. With both pairings advancing far into the tournament, the chance of an all Lions final seemed possible. Facing the host pairing from William Smith in the quarterfinal, Muniz-Cadorette and Wu were defeated by a score of 8-4. While the loss may be seem disappointing, the young sophomore-freshman pairing has plenty of time to grow and be a dominant duo for many years to come.
Representing one of the best duos in the tournament, Aiello and Bendijo advanced to the semifinals. Cruising through the tournament, the pairing defeated the likes of Bard College, Nazareth College and the University of Rochester by decisive margins. With what could be their last chance at a doubles championship, Aiello and Bendijo hope to cement their place in the College’s illustrious history.
The highlights of the tournament came from both ends of the spectra, showing the unlimited potential of the youth and the dominance of the veterans. Both shall continue to flourish and carry further success in the spring. With the fall season coming to a conclusion, the Lions went 6-0 while continuing their 148 game win streak against the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Singles and doubles championships in the Swarthmore College Invitational and a successful ITA Northeast regional was icing on the cake for the Lions.
