WORCESTER, Mass. — The Smith College tennis team delivered a commanding performance on Friday afternoon, showcasing depth and tactical precision to sweep Clark University on the road. The Bears set the tone early with a clean sweep in doubles and never looked back, putting together a clinical performance across the singles lineup.
Doubles Excellence
Smith opened the match by securing the doubles point with aggressive play at the net and consistent serving across all three positions.
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No. 1: After dropping the opening game, Heidi Cambron (Sherbrooke, Canada/Champlain College Lennoxville) and Ava Emrich (Smyrna, Delaware/Tower Hill School) shifted into high gear. The duo took control of the middle of the court and relied on a dominant serving performance to roar back for a 6-1 victory.
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No. 2: In the afternoon's most tightly contested doubles battle, Tabitha Bastress (Shelburne, VT/Champlain Valley Union High School) and Emily Wang (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) remained composed under pressure. Their tactical consistency and sharp net play allowed them to pull away for a 6-4 win.
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No. 3: Sophia Dube (Portland, OR/Oregon Episcopal School) and Isabel Benitez Barron utilized aggressive returning and net dominance to dismantle their opponents in a swift 6-2 decision.
Singles Powerplay
The momentum from the doubles sweep translated immediately into singles play, where the Bears' top flight overpowered the opposition in straight sets.
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Top Flight Mastery: Ayla Hauser (Knoxville, TN/Bearden), Heidi Cambron (Sherbrooke, Canada/Champlain College Lennoxville), and Olivia Chin (Bayside, NY/Dominican Academy) delivered efficient, high-energy wins at the top of the lineup. Olivia Chin (Bayside, NY/Dominican Academy) provided the definitive blow at the No. 3 position, officially clinching the match for Smith.
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Tactical Wins: At the No. 4 spot, Emily Wang (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) faced a gritty opponent who utilized significant variety. Despite the challenge, Wang maintained her rhythm and controlled the match, dropping only three games in a 6-2, 6-1 win.
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Gritty Performance: Tabitha Bastress (Shelburne, VT/Champlain Valley Union High School) moved to 2-0 on the day with a masterclass in "smart, gritty tennis" at the No. 5 slot, nearly flawless in her 6-0, 6-1 victory.
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Fearless Debut: Closing out the day at No. 6, Sophia Dube (Portland, OR/Oregon Episcopal School) made a splash in her first singles appearance of the season. After making key tactical adjustments, Dube played with a fearless edge to secure a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 win.
About Smith Athletics
Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information, log on to GoSmithBears.com and follow the Bears on Facebook and Instagram.
