CANTON, N.Y. -- The 14th-ranked Skidmore College women's tennis team captured its fourth consecutive Liberty League title, knocking off Vassar College, 5-1, in the championship match Monday afternoon at St. Lawrence University.
 
The Thoroughbreds (17-3) defeated the Brewers (13-6) in the finals for the fourth year in a row. 
 
Skidmore, which extended its winnig streak to six matches, took a 2-1 lead after doubles play. Lee Ford and Madeline Benn, ranked third in the Northeast region in doubles, combined for an 8-5 win over the region's 14th-ranked team of Samantha Schapiro and Shayna Becker at number one. Melissa Hirsch and Yumi Karlshoej picked up the Thoroughbreds second point with an 8-2 win at number three.
 
Benn, Zoe Valella and Rachel Plevinsky all won their respective singles matches to seal the win for Skidmore. Benn won 6-3, 6-1 at number three, Valella rolled to a 6-, 6-1 win at number four and Plevinsky notched a 6-3, 6-3 win at number five.
 
The Thoroughbreds earn an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament with the win and will be making their eighth straight and 18th overall tournament appearance.
 
Singles competition
1. Lee Ford (SKD) vs. Samantha Schapiro (VAS) 1-6, 6-0, 1-2, unfinished
2. Melissa Hirsch (SKD) vs. Emily Hallewell (VAS) 7-6 (7-2), 5-1, unfinished
3. Madeline Benn (SKD) def. Winnie Yeates (VAS) 6-3, 6-1
4. Zoe Valella (SKD) def. Lindsay Kantor (VAS) 6-2, 6-1
5. Rachel Plevinsky (SKD) def. Lauren Stauffer (VAS) 6-3, 6-3
6. Robyn Baird (SKD) vs. Shayna Becker (VAS) 7-5, 2-3, unfinished
 
Doubles competition
1. Lee Ford/Madeline Benn (SKD) def. Samantha Schapiro/Shayna Becker (VAS) 8-5
2. Emily Hallewell/Winnie Yeates (VAS) def. Rachel Plevinsky/Zoe Valella (SKD) 8-5
3. Melissa Hirsch/Yumi Karlshoej (SKD) def. Lauren Stauffer/Kelsey Van Noy (VAS) 8-2
 
Match Notes:
Vassar 13-6; Regional ranking #11
Skidmore 17-3; National ranking #14; Regional ranking #6
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,3,5)
Liberty League Championship Match
Skidmore wins fourth straight Liberty League Championship
Skidmore receives NCAA automatic bid