History was nearly made indoors at the Gantcher Center yesterday.
Just two days after defeating second-ranked Williams, No. 1 Amherst nearly fell on the road to the No. 5 Tufts women's tennis team and received all it could handle from the surging Jumbos, who recently attained their highest national ranking in program history.
Lord Jeffs senior Mimi Bell clinched the 5-4 decision at No. 6 singles, taking down senior tri-captain Edwina Stewart 6-1, 7-6(3), but Amherst nearly suffered its first NESCAC defeat and first loss in eight matches thanks to a gritty performance from Tufts' lineup.
At No. 1 singles, senior tri-captain Julia Browne powered past national No. 20 Laura Danzig, 7-6 (1), 6-2, while freshman Shelci Bowman, after dropping the first set, roared past freshman Gabby Devlin at No. 3 singles, 0-6, 6-3, 7-5. Other Tufts wins came from sophomore Lauren Hollender at No. 5, who also came back from an early deficit to best senior Laken King, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2.
The Lord Jeffs jumped out to an early lead in doubles thanks to an 8-4 victory from freshmen Jordan Brewer and Gabby Devlin at No. 1 over Browne and Bowman, as well as an 8-6 decision at the No. 3 slot. Katz and freshman Eliza Flynn took down Danzig and Bell in a tiebreaker, 9-8 (4) to earn the Jumbos' only doubles win at the No. 2 spot.
The loss was Tufts' first since March 27 and the Jumbos' closest decision against the Lord Jeffs since April 7, 2009. They will look to rebound on Friday against Middlebury on the Voute Courts, barring inclement weather, before heading to Williams a day later for another showdown with the three-time defending national champions. Tufts (11-3, 4-1 NESCAC) has not defeated Williams since 1991.
For further coverage on yesterday's top-five matchup, see tomorrow's Daily.
