CARLISLE, Pa. – For the first time in nine years the Dickinson women's tennis team will be playing in the postseason as the fifth-seeded Red and White will head down to Chestertown, Maryland for a First Round matchup against the fourth-seeded Washington College Shorewomen at the Schottland Tennis Center.
Game Information
Opponents – Fourth Seed - Washington Shorewomen
Records - Dickinson: 11-6, 4-6 Centennial | Washington: 8-8, 5-3 Centennial
Date – Wednesday, April 30th
Time – 4:00 pm
Location – Chestertown, Md. (Schottland Tennis Center)
Media Links –Â
Live Stats |Â
Live Video |
Regular Season Meeting - Shorewomen 4, DEVILS 3
The last time these two sides squared off was back on March 29th at the Hays Tennis Courts in Carlisle where the visitors claimed a slim 4-3 conference win. In doubles, the Red and White grabbed their lone win at the second slot where
Alisa Steele and
Loretta Szych knocked off Carrie Lord and Sofia Sperandei by a score of 7-6 (7-2 tiebreak). The other two Dickinson duos of
Jenna Crain-
Natasha Sharnoff (1st) and
Izzy Desjardins-
Chloe Heller (3rd) each dropped 2-6 decisions to give WC the opening point. Crain immediately brought DC even with a two-set win over Eva Kading at one (6-2, 6-1). Heller gave the Devils a 2-1 at four over Jayda Browne (6-1, 6-3), but Sperandei (5th) tripped up Szych (3-6, 3-6) to knot the team score again. Soleil Namunyola (2nd) made it 3-2 WC with victory over Steele, before Sharnoff took down Isabella Sorhegui in a thrilling three setter (6-1, 1-6, 6-4).Â
Projected Match-Ups
Thoughts from Devils senior captain, Izzy Desjardins
- What does it mean to be the first team to advance to the playoffs in nine years?
- This means everything to not only me, but our whole team. It shows just how far we have come as a team and how hard we have worked to reach this point. I am incredibly proud of everyone and just having the chance to compete together again and show what we are capable of is all I could ask for.
- What is it about this team that makes it so special?
- Over half of our teams is underclassmen, which not only highlights the potential of our tennis program, but also reflects the strength of our team dynamic. We support each other on and off the court, and that connection is clear every time we play. This team truly feels like a second family, and it's exciting to and succeed together.
- What do you want your team to focus on heading into Wednesday?
- Heading into our match, I want us to have unwavering confidence in ourselves. The last time we played them, the win was within our reach-and since then, we have put in the work through conditioning, training and building our team chemistry (especially between doubles partners). If we can channel this progress and energy into Wednesday's match, I have no doubt in my mind that we will win.
Thoughts from Devils Head Coach, Cole Sutton
- What are your thoughts on the season as a whole?
- This has really been a special season for our team. We have come such a long way since our late-night practices in February, and every player has shown growth throughout the season. With half the lineup filled by first-years, we were often outmatched in terms of experience this year, but our group consistently rose to the occasion. It is really a testament to them and the few older veterans on the team that provided leadership that we are where we are now.
- How does it feel to take this team to the playoffs in your first year at Dickinson?
- I definitely feel lucky to be taking this team to the playoffs in my first year. I was able to inherit a talented, young team that had a ton of potential. It may have been nine years since the program made the playoffs, but we knew it was possible from the beginning of the year when we made it our goal to be here.
- How proud are you of the team for buying into your system and making it this far?
- It is never easy coming into a program with players that you have not recruited, so I feel incredibly grateful to the team for being so receptive from the start and coming in every day ready to work. I'm really proud of the way they have bought into the new culture and the strides they have all made this year.
- What kind of bar does this year set for the program going forward?
- I am hopeful that this is a jumping off point for Dickinson Women's Tennis instead of an anomaly. Given our youth and potential, I feel confident and optimistic about the future of the program and I am excited to keep on building each and every year going forward.
Rest of the TournamentÂ
The winner of this match will head to top-seeded Swarthmore College on Friday afternoon at 4pm in on semifinal. The other semifinal will put third-seeded Franklin and Marshall College against number two seed Haverford College on the "Main Line" at 4pm. The two semifinal winners to battle it out on Sunday afternoon at the highest remaining seed with first serve slated for 1pm.
