The Houghton College Women's Tennis Team clinched the 4th seed in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament with a thrilling 5-4 win over Alfred University Saturday afternoon. In a match for the ages, Senior
Tessa Brown would seal the deal in a third set tiebreaker at sixth singles coming back from 5-2 down in the deciding set to push the Highlander's into post season play!
The Highlander's would start the match off strong taking a 2-1 lead after doubles play.
Erin Haley and
Elise Swanson would continue their strong season with an 8-5 victory at first doubles, and the new pairing of
Marilynn Amborski and
Tessa Brown would find their first win as a tandem at the third flight 8-6.
Chloe Esch and
Maddison Soth pushed to sweep the doubles for the Highlanders, but came up just short in the tiebreaker 8-7 (7-4) at the second pairing.
The Highlander's would need to grab three singles matches to clinch their post season appearance, and they proved to have just enough in this affair.
Elise Swanson grabbed a win at first singles coming back from a tough first set to prevail 5-7, 6-2, 6-0. Following right behind her was
Erin Haley at second singles who triumphed 7-5, 7-5 in a very close match. After defeats at third, fourth, and fifth singles, the season would come down to
Tessa Brown at sixth singles. After taking the first set easily 6-0, Brown would find herself in a battle she will never forget. Losing the second set 7-6 (8-6), the momentum shifted out of her control quickly. At 5-2 down in the deciding set, Brown would begin to regain her form rattling off 5 straight games to force a thrilling third set tiebreaker. In a comeback for the ages, Brown would carry the Highlander's into post season play with a finishing score of 6-0, 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-4).
"This is the most resilient team I've ever seen, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to coach them," Head Coach
Zach Shilvock said post match. "What Tessa did today is simply incredible. I've never seen anything like that before, and to do it with the season on the line is a testament to her mental strength. Each and every person on this team has played a role in getting us to where we are at, and now we are back to 0-0 as we head into post season play."
The Highlander's will enjoy this victory, but will get back to work Monday as they gear up to take on the #1 seed Nazareth College. The Highlander's Semi-final bout against Naz will be hosted at Houghton College, Friday at 11am.
