GAMBIER, Ohio – A rivalry clash between nationally ranked programs tilted heavily in favor of the home side Tuesday afternoon as the No. 17-ranked Kenyon College women's tennis team powered past No. 22 Denison University, 6-1, in North Coast Athletic Conference play at Vandenberg Courts.
With the victory, the Owls improved to 12-5 overall and stayed unbeaten in conference competition at 4-0. The loss snapped Denison's momentum as the Big Red slipped to 14-4 overall and 5-1 in NCAC action.
Kenyon wasted little time sweeping doubles to seize the early momentum. At the top spot,
Eleni Lazaridou and
Hana Nouaime battled through a tight matchup, claiming a 6-4 win over Peyton Oda and Rafaella Ramos. The Owls continued to apply pressure at No. 2 doubles where
Shadia Amado Aguad and
Kiara Komlodi pieced together a crisp 6-2 victory against Caitlin Van Winkle and Dasha Chistyakova. The doubles sweep was completed at the third position as
Clare Hudson and
Bridgette Kelly handled Maia Nowicki and Maddie Larsen by the same 6-2 margin.
Heading into singles place, Komlodi delivered one of the day's most convincing performances at the No. 2 position, edging the opening set before cruising through the second for a 7-5, 6-0 victory over Van Winkle. At No. 3 singles, Nouaime navigated a rollercoaster matchup with Ramos, capturing the first set, dropping the second, and then dominating the deciding super tiebreak to secure the point, 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-1).
The Owls kept stacking wins as Amado Aguad controlled the tempo at No. 4 singles, dispatching Chistyakova in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5. Hudson added another point at the fifth flight, grinding through a three-set affair that ended in a 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (10-0) triumph over Nowicki. Kenyon's final flourish came at No. 6 singles where Kelly delivered the day's most dominant outing, blanking Larsen, 6-0, 6-0. Denison managed its lone point at the top of the singles lineup where Oda defeated Lazaridou in straight sets.
The Owls now turn their attention to another NCAC battle as they prepare to host Wittenberg University on Saturday, April 11, at Vandenberg Courts. First serve is set for 10:00 a.m.
