#19 women's tennis knocks off DI Bryant, 4-3

Sabrina Ross Neergaard '20 (Photo by Tim Farrell)
Sabrina Ross Neergaard '20 (Photo by Tim Farrell)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Brandeis University women's tennis team opened their 2018 spring season in style last night, defeating Division I Bryant University, 4-3, in a dramatic match at the Bulldogs' indoor home at Rally Point. The Judges improve to 1-0 on the season, while Bryant falls to 2-2.

Playing under Division I rules (doubles matches played to 7 instead of 8 and combined to count for one point, no-advantage scoring, no lets), the Judges opened by taking two of three doubles matches, both by 7-5 scores. Junior Olivia Leavitt (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth) and sophomore transfer Diana Dehterevich (Minsk, Belarus / Secondary School #185 of Minsk) won at No. 1, while junior Keren Khromchenko (Manalapan, N.J./Allied Academy of Health and Science) teamed with sophomore Sabrina Ross Neergaard (Port Orchard, Wash./Laurel Springs Prep) at No. 2. Senior Haley Cohen (Cherry Hill, N.J./Laurel Springs Prep) and rookie Lauren Bertsch (Middletown, R.I. / LaSalle Academy) played at No. 3 and dropped a 7-5 decision of their own.

In singles play, Cohen bounced back for a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 3, while Bertsch was down a set but up a break in the second, 4-1, when her opponent retired. The home team answered with straight-set wins at No. 2, where Linnea Sjoberg avenged her doubles loss to Khromchenko, 6-2, 6-4, while Stefanie Arroyo defeated Brandeis junior Michele Lehat (Great Neck , N.Y. / John L. Miller Great Neck North), 6-0, 6-4 at No. 4, making the match 3-2 in favor of the Judges.

The final two matches came down to third sets. At No. 6, the Bulldogs tied the score with Arianna Oropeza knocking off Judge rookie Rachel Zubrinsky (Waxhaw, N.C. / Marvin Ridge), 6-0, 4-6, 6-1. The match was decided at the top spot, where Ross Neergaard defeated Ashanti Campfield, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, to clinch Brandeis's second-straight win over the D1 squad.

Brandeis returns to action on February 19th as part of their annual February break trip to California. They open with a match at CalTech.