The Middlebury women's tennis team advanced to the NESCAC Semifinals with a 5-1 win over Bowdoin (12-6) in a first-round match played at Middlebury College. The Panthers (10-4) will take on top-seeded Amherst (16-1) in the semifinals on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Middlebury led 2-0 in doubles action before Hannah Hoerner and Chantalle Lavertu earned an 8-6 win over Dorrie Paradies and Sally Wilkey at #3.

Brittany Faber gave Middlebury a 3-1 edge at #3 singles, defeating Emma Lewis 7-6 (6), 6-0. The Panthers were within one of clinching the match as Leah Kepping picked up a 6-4, 6-2 win over Emily Lombardi in the #2 slot. Anna Burke clinched for Middlebury at #5, topping Kate Winingham 6-3, 7-6 (0). The remaining matches saw each team up a set, with the #4 singles match heading to a third set.

Final Score: Middlebury 5, Bowdoin 1

Doubles                                                                                                        
1. Kepping/Faber (M) def. Alberstone/Winingham (B) – 8-5                
2. Burke/Aiello (M) def. Lombardi/Lewis (B) – 8-3 
3. Hannah Hoerner/Lavertu (B) def. Paradies/Wilkey (M) – 8-6 

Singles
1. Kellen Alberstone (B) led Victoria Aiello (M) – 6-3, 6-6  
2. Leah Kepping (M) def. Emily Lombardi (B) – 6-4, 6-2        
3. Brittney Faber (M) def. Emma Lewis (B) – 7-6 (6), 6-0        
4. Chantalle Lavertu (B) led Sally Wilkey (M) – 6-2, 4-6, 3-2               
5. Anna Burke (M) def. Kate Winingham (B) – 6-3, 7-6 (0)                    
6. Dorrie Paradies (M) led Susanna Howard (B) – 6-4, 5-5