Skyhawks turn back NE-10 challenger to hold on to second place in standings

Leah White and the Skyhawks took charge of a crucial match to pick up their 11th conference victory.

COLCHESTER, Vt. (April 13, 2011) – Stonehill College, currently ranked fourth in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II East Regional poll, wrapped up the second seed in the Northeast-10 Conference postseason tournament with a commanding 8-1 victory over Saint Michael’s College on Wednesday evening.

Stonehill gained momentum early on with a sweep of the doubles matches to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Lindsey Herchel (Hampden, Mass./Minnechaug Regional) and Jacquelyn Harrow (North Reading, Mass./North Reading), ranked 10th regionally in doubles play, turned in an 8-5 victory over the Purple Knights’ Deahna Giguere and Emily Magee at No. 1 doubles. The win was the 100th career victory for Herchel, a three-year captain. Leah White (Walpole, Mass./Bishop Feehan) and Kaitlyn Martin (Medway, Mass./Medway) edged Marybeth Ash and Marran Ranks 8-6 at No. 2, and Amy Toegemann (Narragansett, R.I./The Lincoln School) and Chelsea Haedrich (Islip, N.Y./Islip) defeated Emily Ogilvy and Jean-Marie McGrath 8-4 in the third slot.

Herchel faced Giguere a second time at No. 1 singles, powering to a straight-sets victory, and Toegemann dispatched Ranks 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2. White edged Magee 6-4 in their opening set at No. 3 before putting her away 6-0 in the second set. Frost and Hickey claimed wins in the fourth and sixth spots, Frost defeating Ash 8-3 and Hickey holding off Alex Dalton 8-6.

McGrath posted the lone win for St. Michael’s with an 8-6 victory over Martin at No. 5 singles.

Stonehill (15-2, 11-1 NE-10) visits Saint Anselm College on Saturday for their regular-season finale at 1:00 p.m.