The sixth-ranked Middlebury women's tennis team trailed 2-1 after doubles, but the Panthers outlasted #8 Tufts 5-4 to secure their second win of the season. With the victory, Middlebury deadlocks the all-time series between the two programs at 18 wins apiece.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Jumbos jumped out to a 2-1 edge following doubles action. Amy Delman and Claudia Miller earned an 8-5 victory in the top spot, but Tufts grabbed points at #2 (8-6) and #3 (8-3).
- Tufts increased its advantage to 3-1 with a straight-set victory in the fifth spot.
- Miller and Delman continued their winning ways, knotting the contest 3-3. Miller started the comeback bid with a 7-6(4), 6-2 win at #3, while Delman won 6-4, 7-5 at the top of the lineup.
- Nathalie van der Reis gave the Panthers a 4-3 edge with a three-set thrilling triumph (6-1, 3-6, 6-4) from the #4 spot.
- The Jumbos tied the match 4-4 with a straight-set victory in the sixth slot.
- Middlebury secured the win in the second spot. Lulu Wu claimed the first set in a tiebreaker (7-6(4)), before topping her opponent 6-1 to clinch the 5-4 victory.
NOTES
- The individual win by Wu was the 10th of her career.
- Behind her triumph at #4, van der Reis is tied for the team lead with 10 victories this season (10-2) and has won seven-straight matches.
Middlebury is back in action on Sunday when it heads to Bates for a 10:00 a.m. contest.
