BLUE ACES

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - No. 43 Yale won the ECAC Division I Indoor Women’s Tennis Championship with a 4-0 victory over Dartmouth in the finals to improve to 8-1 on the season Sunday at Harvard University. 

The ECAC Championship was Yale's second consecutive tournament victory.  After being the No. 1 seed and only needing to win two matches last year to win in the inaugural year of the tournament, the Bulldogs needed to win three matches this year as the No. 3 seed.  Yale's No. 3 seeding served as motivation for the team, head coach Danielle Lund McNamara said.  

"Coming into the tournament, I think everyone was really focused and very determined to prove to our peers that we are not the third best team in the Ivy League," McNamara said.  "Our number three seeding really fired people up, and rightfully so.  My message to them was, 'if that's not right, prove it on the court,' and they did. "  

Yale defeated Boston University for the second time this season in the opening round 6-1.  The Bulldogs then faced No. 62 Harvard in the semifinals in a rematch at the same site where the Bulldogs' Ivy League Title hopes were thwarted last season.

McNamara said she printed off nine copies of a picture of the scoreboard from last season's 5-2 loss to Harvard and handed them to the team on Friday night as motivation.  The motivation worked as Yale responded with a 6-1 victory over Harvard in the semifinals Saturday.   

With seven of the eight Ivy League teams competing in the ECAC Championship, the tournament served as a preview of the Ivy League season. Rhee, who won her singles matches in all three ECAC Championship matches, said the win gives the Bulldogs confidence for the Ivy season by providing them the opportunity to see how they stack up against other Ivy League teams.  "This tournament was really good because we got to see all the other competition," Rhee said.  "We're excited to go into the Ivy season.  We have all the confidence in the world."  

While the Ivy League season does not begin until Apr. 2 against No. 46 Princeton, the Bulldogs will continue to face tough competition in the interim.  Next weekend, Yale plays host to No. 44 William & Mary and No. 19 Vanderbilt.  The Bulldogs will then host Western Michigan before traveling to Florida to face No. 40 South Florida and Florida International over spring break.  Yale will wrap up its non-Ivy slate at home against Quinnipiac March 19.   

Saturday, Feb. 20th - 11am     vs. #50 William & Mary

          VS.   

Meet the Bulldogs Day!!!  Following the completion of the W&M match.  Free snacks and drinks.  Your chance to meet the Yale Women's Tennis team, get a free poster, autographs and pictures! Click HERE for more details.

Sunday, Feb 21st - 11am     vs. #17 Vanderbilt

             VS.     

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#49 Yale Defeats #39 Wake Forest 6-1!

No. 49 Yale improved to 3-1 on the season with a 6-1 victory over No. 39 Wake Forest Sunday in the second match of the ITA Division I Women’s Kick-off Weekend at Duke University. 

The Bulldogs won the doubles point and five of six singles matches to win the match.  Senior Jessica Rhee won in straight sets at No. 3 singles.  Rhee defeated Emilee Malvehy 6-3, 6-1. 

All four of Yale’s other singles victories occurred in three set matches.  At No. 2 singles, sophomore Vicky Brook pulled out a 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-4 victory over Kathryn Talbert.  Junior Stevi Petrelli won 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 over Ryan Cutillo at No. 4 singles. 

Playing No. 5 singles, freshman Elizabeth Epstein battled to a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Katarina Reveche.  Junior Lindsay Clark defeated Aileen Davis 5-7, 6-1 6-1 at the No. 6 singles slot. 

Yale won two of three doubles matches to win the doubles point.  At No. 2 doubles, the duo of Rhee and Kent won 8-6 over Malvehy and Davis.  Petrelli and Epstein defeated Cutilo and Reveche 8-6 at No. 3 doubles. 

The Bulldogs will be back in action next weekend when they play their first home matches of the season.  Yale will play host to UMass on Friday and Memphis on Sunday.  

Complete Results

Singles
1.  Sasha Kulikova (W) def. No. 87 Stephanie Kent (Y), 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
2.  Vicky Brook (Y) def. Kathryn Talbert (W), 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-4
3.  Jessica Rhee (Y) def. Emilee Malvehy (W), 6-3, 6-1
4.  Stevi Petrelli (Y) def. Ryann Cutillo (W), 6-2, 4-6, 6-0
5.  No. 122 Elizabeth Epstein (Y) def. Katarina Reveche (W), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
6.  Lindsay Clark (Y) def. Aileen Davis (W), 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 6, 4*, 1, 2, 5

Doubles
1.  Kulkova / Talbert (W) def. Brook / Clark (Y), 8-6
2.  Rhee / Kent (Y) def. Malvehy / Davis (W), 8-6
3.  Petrelli / Epstein (Y) def. Cutillo / Reveche (W), 8-6  

 

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The 2010 women's tennis season will begin in January!  You can now follow the Bulldogs all season long on Twitter.  Just click the link below to follow along.  Don't forget to check the website frequently for all the upcoming promotions and events we're hosting.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from YALE WOMEN'S TENNIS

Thanks to all of you for your support of Blue Aces in 2009.  We can't wait to see you at the courts in 2010 for a great season!  Go Bulldogs