Shepard Breaks All-Time Points Record in Worcester State’s Sweep over Salem State

WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior women's tennis player, Megan Shepard (Middletown, Conn.) broke the all-time points record, as the Worcester State University women's tennis team swept the Salem State Vikings 9-0 Tuesday afternoon in Little East Conference action.

Shepard broke the record as she had 47 wins in her 2012-2014 seasons, and then with her two wins today, she adds on 9 wins in the 2015 season to set her at 56 all-time. Currently, Shepard has a 56-45 all-time record, and looks to add onto that total as the season hasn't quite hit the halfway mark yet.

"Meg has been a driving force for this team since her freshman year," said head coach Courteney Blais. "As a senior captain, she continues to push herself and the team to do their best."

Worcester State swept three straight double matches to start off the afternoon. Junior Shelby Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) and Shepard finished first, defeating Salem State's junior April McDermott (Tewksbury, Mass.) and freshman Cassie Morrison (Clinton, Mass.) 8-0. The third doubles pair finished second, with an 8-2 Lancer win, while the second doubles pair battled to the end. Worcester State's sophomore Nathalie Khafaga (Auburn, Mass.) and sophomore Rachel Green (Worcester, Mass.) created a buzz, defeating Salem State's junior Hillary Gustafson (Belchertown, Mass.) and freshman Ann Spence (Attleboro, Mass.) 8-6 for the doubles sweep.

Singles play started out with a win from Khafaga over Spence, and then Worcester State's senior Cassandra Goncalves (Ludlow, Mass.) added on the all-important fifth point to clinch the win, as she defeated freshman Jennifer Nassise (North Easton, Mass.) 6-3 and 6-0.

In the final match of the day sophomore Olivia Budney (Webster, Mass.) battled with sophomore Melina Mavroforos (Amesbury, Mass.) as Budney won the first set 6-0. Even though Mavoforos put up a fight in the second set, she ended up falling 7-5, giving Budney the Lancers' final point.

"The team was in the zone today," said Blais. "They knew what they had to do and they worked hard and smart to walk away with another big conference win."

With the victory, the Lancers improve to 4-3 (2-1 LEC) on the season, while the Salem State Vikings fall to 0-4, (0-2 LEC).

Next up the Lancers will be back at Clark University to face the Cougars Thursday evening at 5 p.m., while Salem State take on Gordon College on their home courts the same day.

Singles Competition

1. Shelby Jankins (WSU) def. April McDermott (SSU) 6-0, 6-4
2. Megan Shepard (WSU) def. Cassie Morrison (SSU) 6-1, 6-4
3. Alexis Silk (WSU) def. Hillary Gustafson (SSU) 6-4, 6-4
4. Nathalie Khafaga (WSU) def. Ann Spence (SSU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Cassandra Goncalves (WSU) def. Jennifer Nassise (SSU) 6-3, 6-0
6. Olivia Budney (WSU) def. Melina Mavroforos (SSU) 6-0, 7-5

Doubles Competition

1. Shelby Jankins/Megan Shepard (WSU) def. April McDermott/Cassie Morrison (SSU) 8-0
2. Nathalie Khafaga/Rachel Green (WSU) def. Hilary Gustafson/Ann Spence (SSU) 8-6
3. Cassandra Goncalves/Olivia Budney (WSU) def. Jennifer Nassise/Melina Mavroforos (SSU) 8-2

Order of finish: Doubles (1, 3, 2), Singles (4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6)