Women's Tennis Picks Up First Win Against Lesley

Box Score

NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Mitchell College women's tennis team picked up its first win of the season on Thursday afternoon, defeating conference foe Lesley University by a 5-4 final at New London High School.

The outcome was decided in the final match of the day between Mitchell's Erica Fazio and Lesley's Michelle Side at No. 2 singles. Fazio took the first set 7-5 to gain the advantage and then held on for a 7-5 decision in the second set. The singles win was the team-leading third for Fazio this season.

Mitchell (1-9 overall, 1-5 NECC) started the match with a 2-0 lead thanks to walkovers at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles. Lesley (5-5 overall, 2-4 NECC), which played with only five players instead of six, clawed its way out of the early hole by winning the remaining doubles matches.

With the score tied at 2-2 at the start of singles play, the Lynx took the lead behind a 6-0, 6-2 win by Nicole Smith over Miah Manning at the No. 3 spot. The Mariners regained the lead with wins by Kelly Walsh and Carly Crozer at the fifth and sixth spots, respectively, to go up 4-3.

Lesley's Courtney Mullen tied the match at 4-4 with a victory over Julie Felts at No. 1 singles. Mullen took the first set 6-1 and then held off Felts by a 7-5 margin in the second set, setting the stage for a dramatic finish with the final singles point still in contention.

Mitchell returns to action on Saturday, October 10 at Newbury College at noon. Lesley will next host Bay Path College on Saturday at noon.