Worcester State Edges Women's Tennis
Host Lancers recover after falling behind, 2-1, at the conclusion of doubles play to take 5-4 decision; Caitlin Corcoran improves to 5-1 at number one singles
WORCESTER, Mass. – Worcester State captured four singles points and the third doubles matchup that featured junior teammates Brooke Michanczyk (Middletown, Mass.) and Laura Sarkis (W. Springfield, Mass.) as the Lancers posted a 5-4 victory over Wentworth in non-conference women's tennis action at Clark University.
The Leopards (3-3) started off the match by taking first doubles in the form of an 8-5 triumph by sophomore Caitlin Corcoran (Brockton, Mass.) and classmate Virgina Ofer (Cooperstown, N.Y.).
Wentworth junior Deborah Massaro (Stony Point, N.Y.) and senior Sophie Boyce (South Portland, Maine) then followed by adding the point at second doubles with a closely contested 9-7 matchup with second-year Miranda Biron (Webster, Mass.) and freshman Megan Shepard (Middletown, Mass.).
But Worcester State (3-2) finished pairs play down, 2-1, when Sarkis and Michanczyk came through with the win in the third flight.
Wentworth then went up 4-1 in the standings after Corcoran and Massaro posted wins at first (6-2 and 6-2) and second singles (6-0 and 6-0), respectively.
However, the Lancers responded by taking home wins with Michanzyk at fourth singles (6-3 and 6-1), Biron as the fifth seed (6-2 and 6-2) and Sarkis who dispatched her opponent at sixth singles (6-2 and 6-0).
That set the stage for Shepard who finished the match with the 6-4 and 6-4 win for the deciding point and the win for the Blue and Gold.
With her two wins today Michanzyk becomes the 17th Lancer to join the 25 club as she has posted identical 13-15 wins in both singles and doubles in her two-plus seasons at Worcester State.
The two squads are no stranger to close matches as each of the last four match-ups have been decided by one point dating back to the 2008 season.
Corcoran is now 5-1 on the year to lead her team at first singles.
Both teams will play their next games on the road. Worcester State heads to Salem State for a Little East matchup on Tuesday at 3:30 while the Leopards travel to Emerson for a 4:00 match with the Lions.
(Recap Courtesy of Worcester State Sports Information)