POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Smith College tennis team wrapped up competition at the 2019 Seven Sisters Championship hosted by Vassar College. The Pioneers fell to Bryn Mawr, 4-1, before suffering a 4-1 setback to Mount Holyoke College. First year Elsa Hillis () was named to the All-Tournament Team for her outstanding play throughout the four matches.

In the opener against Bryn Mawr, the doubles match went down to the wire. Betsy Hillier and Kara Van Allen (Kalamazoo, Mich./Mattawan) went down 6-2 in the first set but then took charge early in the second benefiting from their service games. The duo took advantage of their opportunities at net to secure a second set (6-4) win to force a super tie-breaker for the third set. The Owls jumped out to a quick lead, going up 9-5. Hillier saved one match point on her serve before BMC went on to win the match 10-6.

Smith's lone win of the day came at No. 4 singles where Elsa Hillis () defeated Chris Xue 6-3, 6-3. Hillis took an early lead in the first set using her serve well to set up her points. After losing the first game in the second set, Hillis stayed composed to regain the lead and go up 5-3. Hillis proved to me to much for Xue and went on to secure her first college win.

Joanna Kim (Chicago, Ill./Northside College Prep) and Allison Ahern (Minneapolis, Minn./The Blake School) both suffered 6-0, 6-0 losses at No. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. Yena Li () got off to a good start in her match against Caroline Horvalits but ultimately did not have enough down the stretch and fell 6-3, 6-1.

Against Mount Holyoke, Hillis continued her impressive play from the morning match and earned a dominant 6-1, 6-2 over Nikki Cheng.

In doubles action, the MHC pair of Ching-Ching Huang and Hannah Middleton defeated Betsy Hillier and Gabby Mingolelli, 6-1, 6-1. Kim and Li both dropped 6-0, 6-2 decisions to their opponents as did Van Allen, 6-4, 6-1.


UP NEXT
The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday, March 2 when they host Union College (N.Y.) at 12:00 p.m.

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is an 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.