Wheaton's perfect start to season ends against nationally-ranked Wellesley

September 18, 2007

NORTON, MA- The Wheaton College women's tennis team's perfect start to its fall season came to a halt Tuesday afternoon against national power and three-time defending league champion Wellesley College, as the Lyons were swept by their New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) counterparts, 9-0 on Clark Tennis Courts.

Falling to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in league play, Wheaton had won its previous 10 matches since last spring, its longest winning streak in eight years. Wellesley, which is ranked 16th nationally and sixth in the Northeast by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), raised its overall and conference marks to 3-0. The Blue has won 30 straight regular season and tournament matches against league foes since a loss to Wheaton in 2003.

Four Lyons suffered their first singles losses of the season, including freshman Catherine Teague (Manchester, NH/Central), who put up a good fight against Wellesley junior Jennifer Schwarzkopf (Hinsdale, IL/Hinsdale Central) before dropping a 6-4, 7-6 decision in the top spot. Teague and classmate Sarah Geocaris (Newport Beach, CA/Sage Hill School) also lost their first collegiate doubles match with an 8-3 final at number one.

Geocaris, senior captain Maya Milic-Strkalj (Philadelphia, PA/Friends' Central School) and freshman Ellen Van Faasen (Manchester, MA/Manchester Essex Regional) each absorbed singles setbacks for the first time this fall. Outside of Teague's match, Wheaton was only able to secure eight games from the visitors during singles play.

Wheaton steps away from dual matches this weekend for the three-day ITA Regional Tournament beginning on Friday at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

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