In a match that came down to the third set of the final singles contest, the fourth-ranked Emory University Women's Tennis team dropped a close decision to second-ranked Amherst College, losing 5-4 in the opening match of the Fab 7 Tournament in Atlanta, GA on Friday.
The loss was just the third of the season for the Eagles, and their first to a Division III squad, as Emory now sits at 6-3 for the campaign. Amherst improved to 3-1 with the win.
Emory battled back from an early doubles deficit, as the Eagles dropped both the first and second doubles matches by 8-4 scored. Salvaging a point for Emory at third doubles were junior Brenna Kelly and freshman Emma Taylor, who won 8-5.
Amherst increased its lead to 3-1 when Jen Newman defeated Emory freshman Marissa Levine in the second singles match, 6-2, 6-2. However, the Eagles would quickly win the next two matches to even the team score, as junior Gabrielle Clark defeated Jordan Brewer 6-2, 7-5, and freshman Beatrice Rosen earned a 6-3, 6-1 win over Caroline Richman at third singles.
The Jeffs regained the lead, 4-3, with a 6-3, 7-6 (6) win from Zoe Pangalos over freshman Madison Gordon at fifth singles. In the fourth singles match, senior Jordan Wylie kept Emory's hopes alive, tying the score again with a come-from-behind win, 6-7 (2), 7-5, 6-4 over Sue Ghosh. With the match even at 4-4, Amherst's Gabby Devlin was able to pull out the victory in three sets over Emory's Kelly, winning 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
The Eagles will resume play at the Fab 7 Tournament tomorrow, matching up against conference rival and 12th-ranked Washington University (Mo.). The match is scheduled for a 9:00 AM start outdoors, or an 8:00 AM start if moved inside because of rain.
