FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Womens Tennis, October 15, 2009
Contact: Peter Centola Athletic Director
(P) 617-730-7091 (F) 617-730-2414 (E) pcentola@newbury.edu
Game story Christine Grenache, Assistant Sports Information Director

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Newbury College womens tennis team defeated visiting NECC opponent Lesley University today in Chestnut Hill, MA by a score of 8-1. The match marked the final home contest of senior Jillian Wojtowiczs (Palmer, MA/Palmer) career finishing with a total of eight singles and 12 doubles victories. With the victory, the Nighthawks improve to 7-8 on the season and an even conference record of 4-4.

The Nighthawks decidedly swept doubles play by scores of 8-2, 8-2 and 8-1 with all Newbury players capitalizing on key scoring opportunities. Playing particularly well for Newbury were sophomore Kristen Conners (Riverside, RI/East Providence) and freshman Alexandra Derderian (North Providence, RI/North Providence) who competed in first and third doubles, respectively and were able to carry their momentum into singles play.

As the temperature began to drop, the fervor of the Nighthawks offense remained high. Conners, Stephanie Valentine (Pleasant Valley, CT/St. Paul Catholic), Jennifer Swafford (Merrimack, NH/Merrimack), and Julie MacLeod (Buffalo, NY/Frontier Senior) made quick work of their Lesley University opponents; while Wojtowicz and Derderian battled Courtney Mullen (Springfield, OR/Marist) and Brenna Donovan (Hingham, MA/Hingham) in the first and third singles positions. Derderian came away with the victory, winning the first set 6-1 and prevailing 7-5 in the second set tiebreaker. Wojtowicz fell just short of her ninth career singles victory losing with set scores of 7-5, 6-7, and 6-10.

The Nighthawks head to the postseason as they travel Bay Path College this weekend for the New England Collegiate Conference Championship Match.