BOSTON, Mass. - In its final dual match of the season, the Smith College tennis team was edged by Simmons University, 5-3, Monday afternoon.

Doubles:
1. Ashley Felix (El Paso, Tex./Americas)/Kara Van Allen (Kalamazoo, Mich./Mattawan) vs Nickie Nguyen/Marissa Jackson SIMMONS 8-3
2. Yena Li (Shenzhen, China/Stoneleigh-Burnham School)/Elsa Hillis (Georgetown, Tex./Georgetown) vs Sarah Mariski/Megan McKeever Simmons 8-4
3. Joyce Lee (Beaverton, Ore./Beaverton)/Steph Lopez vs Leah Bonis/Carrie St. Peter SMITH 8-7 (7-1)
Order of finish: 1, 2, 3

Singles:
1. Allison Ahern (Shoreview, Minn./The Blake School) vs Nickie Nguyen SMITH 1-6, 6-3, 6-3
2. Ashley Felix (El Paso, Tex./Americas) vs M. Johnson DNF 6-3, 5-7, 4-4
3. Betsty Hillier vs L. Bonis  SIMMONS 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 10-5
4. Emma Essenmacher (Delran, N.J./Delran) vs S. Mariski SIMMONS 6-2, 6-1
5. Joyce Lee (Beaverton, Ore./Beaverton) vs LM. McKeever SIMMONS 6-1, 6-4
6. Anna Maffa (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) vs Libby Ward SMITH 6-4, 6-1
Order of finish: 
6, 4, 5, 3, 1, 2 (DNF)

Highlights:
The doubles pair of Joyce Lee (Beaverton, Ore./Beaverton) and Steph Lopez played a smart double match, taking an early lead. However, the duo from Simmons made a comeback and took the lead. The Sharks had the opportunity to serve for the match at 7-6, but Lee and Lopez saved match point, forcing a tie-break. In the tiebreak, Smith played near flawless tennis to win the tie-break 7-1.

Anna Maffa (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) evened things up winning at No. 6 singles, 6-4, 6-1. Maffa took a 4-0 lead in the match showing off her consistent style of play but her opponent rattled off three straight games to make the score 4-3. Maffa continued her relentless pay from the baseline for the 6-4, 6-1 final.

Joyce Lee (Beaverton, Ore./Beaverton) made her debut in the singles line-up at the No. 5 slot. After dropping the first set 6-1, she quickly got back on track and began to dictate from the baseline, pushing her opponent off the court taking advantage of every chance to finish the point at net. Lee showed great grit and determination but ultimately fell, 6-1, 6-4.

Betsy Hillier (Cohasset, Mass./Concord Academy) played a marathon match in the third position. Hillier is becoming well-known for her consistency from the baseline and her ability to get every ball back. Hillier won a tough first set in a tiebreak, but was unable to hold off her opponent her forced a third set match tiebreaker which Simmons eventually won 10-5. 

Allison Ahern (Shoreview, Minn./The Blake School) earned a victory for the Pioneers at the No. 1 position. After dropping the first set 6-1, she adjusted and found her groove to close out the match 6-3, 6-3.

Due to EEE advisory, play was suspended at the No. 2 position.

UP NEXT
Smith will return to action this weekend as hosts of the New England Women's Intercollegiate Tennis Tournament.

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.