Williams Women's Tennis at ITA's Day 3Williams Sports Info
10:29AM / Monday, September 21, 2009
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Sophomore Kristin Alotta has arrived on the collegiate tennis scene. After losing only one match last season, playing as the number three player for the Ephs', Alotta has emerged as the preeminent player in the region. Alotta captured the ITA Northeast regional tournament championship, defeating the defending champion Julia Browne of Tufts 6-1, 6-1 in the final.
Alotta lost just one set in six matches en route to the title. She defeated teammate Grace Baljon yesterday in the quarterfinals setting up a grudge match with Brittany Berckes of archrival Amherst. Alotta won in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (8-6). In the finals, Alotta faced the top seeded player in the region in Browne.
As a sophomore Browne won the ITA tournament. She also won the doubles crown, playing alongside Meghan McCooey. The final, however, belonged entirely to Alotta. “She played incredibly focused tennis,” noted an ecstatic Coach Allison Swain. “Every game in the final was a battle and Kristin was able to win a lot of high-pressure points.” By winning the tournament, Alotta secures All-American status and qualifies for the national individual tournament in October.
The doubles pair of Grace Baljon 2010 and Taylor French 2012 fell just short in their bid at a title. The Ephs' fell in a tiebreak to Tufts’ Browne and McCooey 9-8 (7- 1). The tournament can still be considered a great success for the two. Last season, Baljon and French typically played as the second doubles team for the Ephs'. By reaching the finals, they prove that they can compete as a powerful number 1 pair against the best teams in the nation. “It’s a huge accomplishment. Grace and Taylor played great and show a ton of promise,” remarked Coach Swain.
Senior co-captain Ashley Parsons was also in action, playing in the semifinals of the consolation bracket. Parsons fell 7-5, 7-5 to Brittney Faber of Middlebury, but gained valuable experience, playing five matches against top notch competition.
The Ephs' return home to face Vassar on Saturday at 2 PM. The two-time- defending national champions hope to carry the momentum they created through a stellar weekend in Boston into the rest of the fall season. |
