Women's Tennis Edges Worcester State in Season Opener

BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Emily Jodoin's (Burrillville, R.I.) straight-set win at number three singles proved to be the clincher as the Wentworth women's tennis team opened the 2015-2016 season with a 5-4 win over Worcester State at Harvard University's Beren Tennis Center.

The Leopards took a 2-1 lead after doubles play by winning the second and third flights. Freshman Kelsey DeGouveia (New Bedford, Mass.) teamed with senior Nicole Mooney (Waterford, Conn.) to take an 8-1 win at number three over senior Cassandra Goncalves (Ludlow, Mass.) and freshman Valerie Tocco (Pelham, N.H.). At number two, Jodoin and senior Nicole McColgan (Tewksbury, Mass.) took home an 8-6 win over the Lancers' duo of sophomore Nathalie Khafaga (Auburn, Mass.) and sophomore Rachel Green (Worcester, Mass.). Those two wins were sandwiched around Worcester State junior Shelby Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) and senior Megan Shepard (Middletown, Conn.) claiming an 8-4 win over sophomores Caitlyn Briggs (Lee, Mass.) and Sam Webb (Westminster, Md.).

Freshman Ellen Butts (Borrkfield, Mass.) defeated Tocco, 6-0, 6-0, at number five while sophomore Olivia Budney (Webster, Mass.) made it a 3-2 match with a 6-0, 6-0 triumph over graduate student Marisa Page (Warwick, R.I.). Mooney would defeat Goncalves, 7-5, 6-0, at number four before Jodoin clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Khafaga at number three.

Jankins defeated Briggs, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 at number one while Shepard defeated McColgan, 6-1, 6-2 at number two.

Wentworth hosts Rhode Island College on Saturday morning at Regis College while Worcester State is at Becker on September 9.