MIT Women's Tennis

The women's tennis team wrapped up their most successful fall seasons in recent history with a trip to the NCAA Regional tournament. Building on their 11-1 record from the fall, in which they went undefeated in the NEWMAC conference and won the NEWMAC championship, they posted a 4-1 record in the spring, with some wins against some highly ranked opponents such as Skidmore, Wesleyan, and Vassar.

Eight teams were invited to the NCAA East Regional tournament, and MIT earned the 6th seed. They drew Trinity College, the 3rd seed, in the first round. The team trailed 2-1 after doubles, but not after co-captain Mealani Nakamura '00/Kelly Koskelin '02 won their first doubles match 9-7, after trailing 7-5 and saving three match points. There were several close matches in singles, with Nakamura '00 pulling out a three-setter at first singles, and Jess Hall '02 narrowly losing in three sets at fourth singles. However, Trinity walked away with the 6-3 win.

With the team done for the season, the focus was know on individual players for the NCAA Championships. Nakamura qualified in singles, and Nakamura/Koskelin qualified for doubles, both for the second year in a row. Nakamura won her first round match vs. Pomona-Pitzer in three sets, then lost to Amherst, the third seed and eventual champion, in the second round. Nakamura/Koskelin lost to Pomona-Pitzer in the first round, who went out to defeat the rest of their opponents and claim the championship, although they were unseeded.

MIT qualified for NCAA play for the first time since the 92-93 team, and with a young team (Nakamura, Ayako Tanaka '00 and Singh '00) are being lost to graduation, they look to build on this memoral season.