NORTHAMPTON - The Smith College tennis team came away with a 5-4 win over Endicott College Thursday evening at the ITT. The Pioneers improve to 1-2 in dual matches this spring. 

The first point of the day came from one doubles position where Lili and Clara Goshgarian (Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest) had to contend with an aggressive one team from Endicott. The Goshgarians were able to consistently disrupt play, keeping their opponents off-balanced and uncertain of what to expect next. Their creative play earned them the 8-4 win. 
 
The second point came in the number three doubles position. Miranda Gibson (Bethlehem, PA/Moravian Academy) and Dayana Caluna (Planfield, NJ/College Achieve) played smart doubles, to outlast their opponents and close out the match 8-6.  

In the number two doubles position, Marielle Sauber (The Woodlands, TX/The John Cooper School) and Olivia Monos (Wyomissing, PA/Wilson) played a very tight match against Olivia Berler and Shelby Henry of Endicott. The team from Endicott went up 7-5 playing aggressive doubles. Sauber and Monos played a solid return game and saved two match points to go 7-6. In the next service game, Sauber and Monos played aggressive doubles to disrupt their opponents and force a set tie-break. In the tie-break the Gulls pulled away and secured the lone doubles point for their team before going into singles play. 

Smith got off to a strong start in singles as Sauber secured the third point of the day  in the number three singles position. After going down 5-0 in the first set, she came back with force to win the next 13 games in a row and the match 7-5, 6-0.

In the number two position, Clara Goshgarian (Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest) played dominant singles to earn the fourth point for Smith winning her match 6-2, 6-4. 

In the number one and four positions, Smith had two close battles. On court one, Lili Goshgarian (Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest) jumped off to a quick start going up 3-0. Her opponent started to find her groove and was able to claim the first set 6-4. In the second set, Lili Goshgarian (Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest) played some steady tennis, with her and her opponent exchanging games. Guster of Endicott managed to pull off a tough win against the Smith number one, winning the second set 7-5. 

Olivia Monos (Wyomissing, PA/Wilson) played a tough match in the number four slot.  After playing a solid first set, Olivia Monos (Wyomissing, PA/Wilson) had to battle throughout the second. Her opponent was able to maintain the edge in the second and forced a third set tie-break. Olivia battled throughout the set, but Henry from Endicott was able to close the match and bring her team within a point of Smith. 

In the number five position, Alexa Monos (Wyomissing, PA/Wilson) battled until the end to try and clinch the match for Smith. Alexa Monos (Wyomissing, PA/Wilson) showed incredible patience from the baseline and really worked to get her opponent out of position. After several long rallies, Keaveney from Endicott won the match 7-5. 6-3 making the match tied between Smith and Endicott at 4 matches all. 

The match was decided by Ashley Felix (El Paso, TX/Americas) in the number six position. Felix got off to a dominant start, winning the first set 6-1 and giving Smith the edge. In the second set, Fitzgibbons of Endicott was able to challenge Ashley and took the second set 6-1 forcing a third set. In the third set tie-break, Ashley jumped out to a quick lead by dictating play and staying steady. She closed out the third set, and secured the 5-4 match win for Smith. 

Up Next
Smith hosts Wheaton College Saturday, April 1 at 12:00pm. 

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