CLAREMONT, Calif. -- Amherst will make its sixth consecutive national semifinal appearance thanks to a decisive 5-1 victory against Carnegie Mellon at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center.
Having dropped just one match since March 18, the Jeffs (21-3) extended their win streak to 12 while setting up a showdown against archrival Williams, who defeated NESCAC-rival Bowdoin 5-0 in one of the evening’s other quarterfinals. Winning two of the three meetings against the Ephs this season, Amherst is 2-3 all-time against Williams in NCAA play.
Staking the Purple & White to an early advantage, Safi Aly and Sarah Monteagudo dispatched of Brooke Tsu and Lydia Utkin at third doubles 8-5. Handing the ITA Northeast Region’s top doubles pairing just their second loss of the season, Katie Cecil and Bryn Raschke tripped up Jordan Brewer and Gabby Devlin 8-5. Jen Newman and Zoe Pangalos got Amherst back on track with a hard-fought 9-7 triumph against Angela Pratt and Nicholle Torres at second doubles.
Notching three quick singles victories, the Jeffs once again punched their ticket to the national semifinals. Sue Ghosh got things going with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win against Tsu in the fourth slot. Monteagudo followed with a 6-2, 6-2 victory against Abbey Hamstra at No. 6 before Newman clinched the match by downing Torres 6-4, 6-2.At first singles, Brewer trailed Pratt 6-3, 2-6, 2-0 when play was halted. Devlin led Cecil 6-2, 5-2, while Pangalos was ahead of Elizabeth Martin 7-5, 1-4.
Tuesday’s semifinal against Williams is set for 6 p.m. ET.
