Northampton, MA - Smith College's tennis team had a standout weekend at the New England Women's Intercollegiate Tennis Tournament (NEWITT), with several players reaching key rounds across multiple draws. Highlights included Ayla Hauser (Knoxville, TN/Bearden) and Natazya Simunyola reaching the A backdraw final and strong performances in both the B and C draws, culminating in an impressive showing for the Pioneers.

Highlights

• Ayla Hauser (Knoxville, TN/Bearden) and Natazya Simunyola made it to the final Sunday of NEWITT after an incredible run in the A backdraw.
• In the semi-finals, the pair defeated the number one team from Nichols College, securing their spot in the final. However, in the final match, they faced a tough duo from Williams. 
•  Smith started strong, but Williams adjusted their game plan and dominated at the net, winning 8-2.
• In singles action, Hauser delivered a thrilling performance against Williams. Hauser took control early, winning the first set 6-1, but Williams fought back to take the second set 7-5, forcing a ten-point tiebreak for the third.
• In the tiebreak, Hauser displayed great poise, adjusting her offensive and defensive strategies to edge out a nail-biting 6-1, 5-7, 11-9 victory, keeping Smith in the match.
• In the number two singles match, Natazya Simunyola faced Williams. Despite striking the ball well and showing great consistency, Williams capitalized on key moments to secure a 6-2, 6-2 win.
• Smith's B draw teams also had a remarkable showing, with two teams advancing to the consolation semi-finals. Marielle Sauber (The Woodlands, TX/The John Cooper School), Aranne Jung (Los Angeles, CA/North Hollywood), and Sabrina Wang (Beijing, China/Princeton) delivered a series of impressive performances, particularly in their match against the number one team from Endicott.
• Sabrina Wang (Beijing, China/Princeton) and Marielle Sauber (The Woodlands, TX/The John Cooper School) teamed up in doubles, playing steady and focused tennis to win 8-6, giving their team the edge heading into singles. Aranne Jung (Los Angeles, CA/North Hollywood) then clinched the overall victory for Smith with a 6-2, 6-4 singles win.
• In the semi-finals, both Smith teams displayed exceptional doubles play. The senior duo of Lili and Clara Goshgarian (Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest) dominated their semi-final doubles match, winning 8-0 before heading into singles play. Meanwhile, Aranne Jung (Los Angeles, CA/North Hollywood) and Sabrina Wang (Beijing, China/Princeton) kept their momentum going, securing an 8-5 win in doubles to give their team an early advantage. However, Smith was unable to maintain the lead in singles, ending their impressive run in the B draw.
• In the C draw, Smith saw outstanding performances from Tabitha Bastress (Charlotte, VT/Champlain Valley Union High School) and Sophia Dube (Portland, OR/Oregon Episcopal School), who made it all the way to the final.
• The duo went undefeated in both singles and doubles in the first two rounds of match play. In their semi-final doubles match against Bates, Bastress and Dube staged a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down to win 8-6.
• In singles, first-year Tabitha Bastress (Charlotte, VT/Champlain Valley Union High School) continued her unbeaten streak, clinching Smith's spot in the final with a 7-5, 6-2 win.
• Meanwhile, Alexa Konstantopoulos and Dayana Caluna (Plainfield, NJ/College Achieve) claimed the C Consolation draw title. After dropping a close first-round match to the eventual C draw winners, the pair went on a remarkable nine-match win streak, going undefeated in both singles and doubles to capture the consolation crown.

Special Recognition

Senior Lili Goshgarian (Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest) received the prestigious Lynn Miller Warrior Award, an honor given to a player who demonstrates the highest level of competitiveness and integrity. Named after former Wheaton College coach Lynn Miller, the award recognizes players who embody the spirit of competition while maintaining exceptional sportsmanship. Goshgarian's dedication and leadership on and off the court earned her this well-deserved recognition.

 

Up Next

This conldues Smith's fall season. They resume competition in February as their first match up is against Nichols College at home on February 12th. 

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, and  Instagram.