Women's Tennis Picks Up First Win
NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Mitchell College women's tennis team picked up its first win of the 2015 season on Saturday by a 6-3 final over Newbury College in New England Collegiate Conference play at the Mack Tennis Courts.
The Mariners (1-1 overall, 1-0 NECC) trailed 2-1 after doubles play but recovered to win five of six singles matches on the day. Lehayla Cruz earned points in both singles and doubles to lead Mitchell to the win, which was also the first in the head coaching career of Andrew Small.
The Nighthawks (0-1 overall, 0-1 NECC) got off to a strong start as the teams of Destiny Spears and Jessica Russo and Katelynne Bazile and Sharifah Mukasa earned 8-5 wins at the top two doubles spots. Russo also went on to pick up a straight sets victory at No. 2 singles for Newbury's final point of the match.
The Mitchell duo of Cruz and Danielle Autieri cruised to an 8-0 final at No. 3 doubles, a win that sparked the home team for the start of singles play. Veyda McVey, Dominique Lacroix, Cruz and Brittany Fuller all triumphed in straight sets, and Samantha Ryan battled back from a set down to win at the No. 1 spot by a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 final.
Mitchell will next play at Lesley University on Tuesday, September 15 at 7:30 p.m. Newbury returns to action at home against Becker College on Tuesday at 7 p.m.