Simmons Tennis Captures 4th Consecutive GNAC Championship

BOSTON, Mass. – The Simmons Tennis team defeated the Emerson College Lions 6-3 on Sunday afternoon to claim their fourth consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship and complete their undefeated season, 10-0.

Sharks freshman Nicole Eskenazi (Goleta, Calif.) andKristi Mielbye (Hanson, Mass.) teamed up to defeat Alanna Grady and Gina Varamo 8-3 to get Simmons on the board at #3 doubles.

Sabrina Salmela (Beverly, Mass.) and Andree Sime (Bradenton, Fla.) continued their solid run at #2 doubles, topping Alicia Pellegrin and Natalie Nicholas 8-2. At # 1 doubles, the duo of Margaret Teague (Manchester, N.H.) and Allison Bodek (Lynnfield, Mass.) handed Lacey Russell and Savannah Mosser their first conference loss in the past two years of GNAC doubles with a score of 8-3.

With the doubles sweep, the Sharks only needed two singles wins for the title. Eskenazi put the Sharks up 4-0 with a decisive win at #5 singles against Jana Winfield, 6-1, 6-1.

Fifteen minutes later, Bodek sealed the Sharks fate as she defeated Alicia Pellegrin 6-1, 6-0 at #3 singles. Emerson took three of the remaining four matches to put the final score at 6-3 but the Sharks had all the points they would need.

The Sharks have won seven GNAC titles in the last eight years, including four consecutive from 2008-2011. Today’s victory marks Simmons’ 40th consecutive GNAC win dating back to the 2007 season.

"Today was a tremendous win against a strong Emerson team. Sweeping the doubles was the key to the match. Having the freshmen pair at #3 doubles come in with the first win was a huge boost to the team. Although a young team, we were very disciplined both on and off the court from the start of the season. That certainly was the case today. I am very proud of what they have accomplished," said Coach Rauseo.