The Brandeis University women's tennis team ranked #18 took on the visiting #13 ranked MIT today at Gosman Sports Complex. It was a back and forth affair, but ultimately the Judges fell just short and were defeated 5-4. With the loss the Judges fall to 3-3 while MIT improves to 3-2.
The Judges came out strong to start doubles play winning two out of the three matches. It was senior Sophia He (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Spackenkill) and rookie Ana Hatfield (Rockford, Ill./Boylan Central Catholic) who got Brandeis on the board first at No. 3 with a commanding 8-1 victory. At No. 2 MIT would respond to even the score with an 8-4 win over senior Keren Khromchenko (Manalapan, N.J./Academy of Allied Health and Sciences) and junior Diana Dehterevich (Minsk, Belarus / Secondary School #185 of Minsk). The Judges claimed the lead at No.1 as sophomore Lauren Bertsch (Middletown, R.I./LaSalle Academy) and senior Olivia Leavitt (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth) earned an 8-6 victory.
Going into singles action, Leavitt was defeated at No. 2 to even the score, but the Judges quickly changed that as Khromchenko gave the Judges the lead by a score of 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3. MIT would respond once again at No. 1 defeating Dehterevich in three sets, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6. But Brandeis would not go away, reclaiming the lead at No. 4 as Bertsch claimed a 6-2, 6-2 victory. At No. 5 it was MIT that would even the score once again defeating He by a score of, 1-6, 4-6, leaving it to No. 6 to decide the match. However, the Judges could not respond for a final time, as senior Michele Lehat (Great Neck , N.Y. / John L. Miller Great Neck North) was defeated 6-7, 2-6 in the final match.
The Judges are back in action on Saturday as they will hit the road to play Middlebury for a 10:00 a.m. contest.
-- by Camila Casanueva '21