Worcester State Women’s Tennis Comes up Short against Wentworth in Season Opener

BOSTON, Mass. – The Worcester State University's women's tennis team fell short in their season opener against Wentworth 4-5 at Harvard University's Beren Tennis Center, as a straight-set win at number three singles by Wentworth's sophomore Emily Jodoin (Burrillville, R.I.) helped boost them over the Lancers.

Senior captain Megan Shepard (Middletown, Conn.) and co-captain Shelby Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) shined in their performances, as they scored the Lancers three points in their singles matches, while also teaming up together at number one in doubles. Sophomore Olivia Budney (Webster, Mass.) also stood out in her singles match, as she had two 6-0 wins.

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.

Tennis Match Results
Worcester State vs Wentworth
09/01/15 at Boston, Mass.
(Beren Tennis Center)

Wentworth 5, Worcester State 4

Singles competition
1. Shelby Jankins (WSU) def. Caitlyn Briggs (WIT) 6-2, 1-6, 6-3
2. Megan Shepard (WSU) def. Nicole McColgan (WIT) 6-1, 6-2
3. Emily Jodoin (WIT) def. Nathalie Khafaga (WSU) 6-1, 6-3
4. Nicole Mooney (WIT) def. Cassandra Gonclaves (WSU) 7-5, 6-0
5. Ellen Butts (WIT) def. Valerie Tocco (WSU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Olivia Budney (WSU) def. Marisa Page (WIT) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Shelby Jankins/Megan Shepard (WSU) def. Caitlyn Briggs/Sam Webb (WIT) 8-4
2. Nicole McColgan/Emily Jodoin (WIT) def. Nathalie Khafaga/Rachel Green (WSU) 8-6
3. Kelsey DeGouveia/Nicole Mooney (WIT) def. Cassandra Gonclaves/Valerie Tocco (WSU) 8-1