Worcester State Victorious over Vikings

SALEM, Mass. – The Worcester State Lancers scored a 6-3 victory over the Salem State Vikings in Little East Conference (LEC) women's tennis action on Tuesday afternoon at the Central Campus Tennis Courts.

The Lancers took four-of-six singles matches and a pair of doubles matches to improve to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the LEC. Salem State remains winless at 0-6, and 0-4 in the conference.

Worcester State's Shelby Jankins (W. Brookfield, Mass.), Rachel Green (Worcester, Mass.), Lauren Taylor (Attleboro, Mass.) and Alexis Silk (Greenfield, Mass.) picked up wins at the No. 1 and 2 doubles spots. Jankins and Green defeated Madeline Allaire (Columbus, Ohio) and Ann Spence (Attleboro, Mass.) 9-8 (8-6), while Taylor and Silk defeated Meredith Macdonald (Lynn, Mass.) and Melina Mavoforos (Amesbury, Mass.) 8-3. 

"Number one doubles was determined to win, especially when it came down to the tiebreaker," commented head coach Courteney Blais. "Their focus earned them that win."

For the Vikings, Kristin Kilmowicz (Ispwich, Mass.) and Cassie Morrison (Clinton, Mass.) picked up the sole doubles win as they defeated Nathalie Khafaga (Auburn, Mass.) and Isabel Badeau (Cumberland, R.I.) 9-8.

Salem State's Allaire and Kilmowicz each picked up singles wins for the Vikings. Allaire defeated Jankins 6-4, 6-1 while Klimowicz won 3-6, 7-5, 10-8 over Badeau at No. 6 singles. 

"Shelby had a very tough match against a strong player," stated Blais. "Her effort was outstanding, but unfortunately, she came up short."

Worcester State's Taylor posted a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Morrison at No. 2 singles and Silk topped Spence 6-2, 6-1 at third singles.  Khafaga and Green earned the other singles victories for the Lancers.

"Nathalie breezed through her singles match with a very strong win before others even started their second set," mentioned Blais. "Rachel and Lexi wore down their competitors by keeping them on the run and finishing points up at net."

Salem State will host Bridgewater State on Friday at 3:30 p.m. while Worcester State will travel to face the Bears on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.

Singles Competition

1. Madeline Allaire (SSU) def. Shelby Jankins (WOR) 6-4, 6-1

2. Lauren Taylor (WOR) def. Cassie Morrison (SSU) 6-4, 6-4

3. Alexis Silk (WOR) def. Ann Spence (SSU) 6-2, 6-1

4. Nathalie Khafaga (WOR) def. Meredith Macdonald (SSU) 6-2, 6-3

5. Rachel Green (WOR) def. Melina Mavroforos (SSU) 6-2, 6-2

6. Kristin Kilmowicz (SSU) def. Isabel Badeau (WOR) 3-6, 7-5 (10-8)

Doubles Competition

1. Shelby Jankins/Rachel Green (WOR) def. Madeline Allaire/Ann Spence (SSU) 9-8 (8-6)

2. Lauren Taylor/Alexis Silk (WOR) def. Meredith Macdonald/Melina Mavroforos (SSU) 8-3

3. Kristin Kilmowicz/Cassie Morrison (SSU) def. Nathalie Khafaga/Isabel Badeau (WOR) 9-8 (7-2)

Portions of this Release Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information