Tennis talent Asia-Leigh Hollis saw her and her Wheaton College (Mass.) teammates' New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championship Tournament journey come to an abrupt end in the opening round.
The number six seeded Lyons were defeated 4-0 by the host institution, No. 15 and third-seeded Babson College, on their home courts in Babson Park, Massachusetts.
The defeat brings Wheaton College's season to a close with a final record of 6 wins and 12 losses. In contrast, Babson College continued their strong run of form, having now won four of their last five matches, boosting their season record to an impressive 13-5.
The crucial doubles point went the way of the home side as Babson College secured victories in the first two doubles matches contested. The decisive match saw the Babson pairing of sophomore Dana Kamal and first year Mia Sorrentino overcome the Wheaton sophomore duo of Laila Haraj-Sai and Hollis with a 6-3 scoreline at number two doubles. This victory handed Babson the early 1-0 advantage in the overall match.
In the singles competition, Hollis took to the court in the number four singles spot, facing off against Babson's Kamal, who had already contributed to the doubles point. Kamal demonstrated her dominance, taking the first set 6-3. The second set was underway, with Kamal leading 2-0, when the overall match was halted. Babson College had secured the necessary singles victories on other courts to clinch the 4-0 victory and advance to the next stage of the tournament.
For Asia-Leigh Hollis and her Wheaton College teammates, the disappointment of an early tournament exit will sting. However, the experience gained competing at this level will undoubtedly be valuable for the sophomore as she continues her collegiate tennis career.
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