Box Score BABSON PARK - The Smith tennis team faced #13 Babson College in the spring conference opener. The Pioneers went into the match with great energy, but Babson proved to be too much, and claimed the match 9-0. Smith drops to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in league play. 

Highlights:

• Lili and Clara Goshgarian (Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest) faced off against the current #2 doubles team in the country, Olivia Soffer and Matia Cristiani. The duo from Smith was able to match the #2 team shot for shot from the baseline and created some great openings up at net to finish points. Soffer and Cristiani had the edge with their use of effective returns and aggressive net play to take the set 8-2. 

• Ayla Hauser (Knoxville, TN/Bearden) took on Matia Cristiani, the current #3 player in the country, in the number one position. After dropping the first set 6-1, Hauser refocused to play the match on her terms. She dictated from the baseline, and created more openings to move to net and finish points. As Hauser upped her play, Cristiani was able to match her, taking the second set and the match 6-1, 6-2. 

• Sabrina Wang (Beijing, China/Princeton) looked to make a comeback in her match in the number 5 position. After dropping the first set 6-2 and being down 4-0 in the second, Wang made some incredible adjustments to stay in the match against Campos of Babson. Wang won two straight games, to go 4-2. At 5-2 and a match point down, Wang was able to break serve to go 5-3. Wang maintained this momentum while on serve. Facing another match point, Wang used her serve to set up the point to go 5-4. The next game, her opponent steadied up forcing Wang to be extra patient. Wang was faced with one more match point, and unfortunately could not hold Campos off, giving her the 6-2, 6-4 win. 

Up Next
Smith will be looking to bounce back in their match at Endicott on Tuesday, March 26th at 3:00pm. 

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.