Women's Tennis Set for 2006 Season

Aug. 21, 2006

BEVERLY, MA - The EC women's tennis team had an exceptional season in 2005, going 11-2 this season, including an impressive 8-1 in Commonwealth Coast Conference action. The Gulls opened the season with 10 straight victories and lost just once in the regular season versus Salve Regina University.

The program is 33-10 over the last five seasons and has qualified for postseason play in each of the past 11 years.

EC's starting lineup was consistent at singles play, starting with Kate Roundy '09 (Simsbury, CT/Simsbury), who thrived in her role at first singles. Roundy won the top slot in preseason and finished second on the team in matches played (22), going 7-4 in singles play. She was sidelined during the season with an injury but battled her way back on the court to finish her freshman season strong.

Captain Blythe Langley '06 (North Hampton, NH/Winnacunnet) provided veteran leadership at second singles. She was a four-year player for Endicott, who teamed up with Roundy to form a strong tandem at first doubles.

The No. 3 singles position was played by Carli Conners '07 (Medina, OH/Medina), who coupled with No. 4 singles Brianne Cogan '07 (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga) to play a tough second doubles.

Stephanie Branch '08 (Boothbay Harbor, ME/Boothbay Harbor) excelled at No. 5 singles position while Nicole Leveille '08 (Atkinson, NH/Timberlane) rounded out the top six singles players. Leveille and Allison Auer '09 (Bedford, NH/Trinity) played at third doubles for the Gulls.

Depth was the key to EC's success in 2005. Head coach Gale Bacon brought in a strong freshman class that excelled in key spots for the team. Auer, Laura Bernstein '09 (Gloucester, RI/Ponaganset) and Kate Fiske '09 (Gloucester, RI/Westerly) were great additions to the team. The trio pushed the other players were interchangeable at any position needed.

Endicott was at the top of its game in a regular season match versus rival Gordon College where the Gulls prevailed, 5-4. Langley won in No. 2 singles (1-6, 6-3, 6-3). Lauren Gibbons '06 (Shaker Heights, OH/Shaker Heights) took her match in fifth singles (6-2, 6-4). Conners and Cogan won at second doubles (8-2) and Roundy and Leveille won third doubles (9-7).

As the sun was setting and the weather was taking a turn for the worse, Branch would determine the winning point. Branch won the first set 7-6 (7-5 tiebreaker). Gordon grabbed the second set 7-5 and Branch took the super tiebreaker (first to win 10 games by 2), 10-8, for the needed point to win the match.

Endicott is looking forward to another winning season in 2006. In all, nine freshmen will be competing for a limited number of spots on the team. These freshmen players have played first or second singles positions on their respective high school teams.

The freshmen recruits are: Kathryn Bisham '10 (Augusta, ME); Alyson Boehmn '10 (Lowell, MA); Nicole Breting `10 (Johnston, RI); Christina DiNinno '10 (Leominster, MA); Shannon Ferguson '10 (Marshfield, MA); Jessica Hughes '10 (S. Dartmouth, MA); Rachel Layton '10 (Falmouth, ME); Laura Shadallah '10 (Salem, NH); Lori Wardner '10 (Wrentham, MA); and Lindsey Markey '10 (N. Hampton, NH).

Endicott is fortunate to have Sophia Pagano '07 (Buenos Aires, Argentina) returning for her senior season after missing 2005 while traveling as an exchange student. Stephanie Petkunas and Alyssa Rogalski will also tryout for the team.

The women's tennis team will begin its season on Tuesday September 5 when the Gulls head to Portland, ME to take on the University of Southern Maine.