CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Haverford College women's tennis team handed Washington College its first loss of the Centennial Conference season with a thrilling 5-4 victory in Chestertown on Tuesday. The Fords (5-4, 3-0 CC) took down the No. 11 team in the Atlantic South Region with two of the three doubles matches and a sweep of the Nos. 4-6 singles matches. Washington College's (7-3, 3-1 CC) loss was its first against a Centennial Conference opponent other than Johns Hopkins in its last 22 conference matches during the regular season.
Haverford's No. 3 doubles pairing more than set the tone early with a dominating 8-0 win. That duo of Clara Farrehi and Jessica Liu is now 4-0 together in doubles and has been a part of each of Haverford's first three conference wins this season. However, the Shorewomen answered with an 8-2 win at No. 1 doubles.
Jane Bary and Emily Shutman gave Haverford back its momentum heading into singles with an 8-5 win in the middle doubles spot. That duo is also 4-0 together since joining forces this spring. In spite of the convincing final score, that matchup was anything but easy as Bary and Shutman trailed 5-4 before rolling to the last four games. That late run ultimately loomed large in the final team score.
The Fords put themselves on the brink of victory by claiming the first two singles matches to finish up. Adding to her doubles victory, Liu was the first player to clinch a singles win. The team captain won by a 6-2, 6-0 score and is now a perfect 4-0 in spring singles action. Rory Lewis got Haverford its fourth team point with a 6-0, 6-3 win at No. 5 singles. Lewis has won her first three singles matches against conference foes. The Shorewomen closed the gap to 4-2 with a three-set win at No. 2. Greta Koch controlled that match early with a 6-1 win in the opening set before her opponent used those scores against her to seal a comeback victory.
Nevertheless, the Fords got the decisive fifth point with the next match to come off the courts as Jane Bary won by a 6-4, 6-2 score. Bary is now 4-2 in singles this spring with a perfect 2-0 mark against conference opponents. Washington College made the final score just a 5-4 difference with hard-fought wins at No. 1 and No. 3 singles. Emily Shutman was edged out in the first set of the top singles match. Abby Payson also forced her opponent to play extra games before coming up just short.
Just four unbeaten teams remain in Centennial Conference play after Tuesday's results. Haverford will find itself in another battle of unblemished conference foes this Saturday as the Fords welcome Franklin & Marshall to the Bettye Marshall Tennis Courts. First serve in that match is set for 12 p.m. noon.