ITHACA, N.Y. – The top-seeded Skidmore College women's tennis team fulfilled its quest for a seventh straight Liberty League title, defeating second-seeded Vassar 5-0 in the Liberty League Championship match, held at the Reis Tennis Center Saturday morning.
 
The Thoroughbreds, ranked 20th nationally, improve to 12-7 overall and have earned the league's automatic bid into the upcoming NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Skidmore has won the last 17 league tournament matches in a row stretching back to the 2010-2011 season.
 
Vassar, ranked 40th nationally, drops to 16-5.
 
First and third doubles were dominant in their respective victories. At No. 1, the pair of Madie Benn and Michelle Fuca earned Skidmore's first point with an 8-2 victory over Vassar's pair of Shayna Becker and Tara Edwards. At No. 3, Alexa Goldberg and Jessica Ampel continued their solid play as of late with an 8-1 victory over Connie Yoo and Dasha Ivenitsky. Second doubles proved to be a barnburner as Vassar's Kate Christensen and Morgane Flournoy took a 6-4 lead over Ada Wiggins and Brianna Greene. Skidmore showed great poise, winning the next three points to take the 7-6 lead. From there, Skidmore earned the match point with the 9-7 victory.
 
In singles, Giannetti completed a 6-0, 6-0 shutout at No. 4 over Yoo to earn Skidmore's fourth point. Fuca clinched the championship for the Thoroughbreds in her third singles match, defeating Edwards in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3. Benn, Renee Karchere-Sun, and Greene were ahead in their respective singles matches at No. 2, No. 5, and No. 6 when Skidmore earned the team victory.
 
This was the 11th Liberty League Championship matchup between the Thoroughbreds and the Brewers, who have now split all 14 league titles since the 2003-2004 season. Skidmore has now won six of the 11 matches.
 
The Thoroughbreds now await a bid into the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament. The selections will be made on Monday, May 8.
 
Tennis Match Results Vassar vs Skidmore
May 06, 2017 at Ithaca, N.Y. (Reis Tennis Center)
#20 Skidmore 5, #40 Vassar 0

Singles Competition
1. Ada Wiggins (SKD) vs. Kate Christensen (VAS) 4-6, 1-0, unfinished
2. Madie Benn (SKD) vs. Shayna Becker (VAS) 6-4, 3-2, unfinished
3. Michelle Fuca (SKD) def. Tara Edwards (VAS) 6-1, 6-3
4. Danielle Giannetti (SKD) def. Morgane Flournoy (VAS) 6-0, 6-0
5. Renee Karchere-Sun (SKD) vs. Connie Yoo (VAS) 6-2, 5-2, unfinished
6. Brianna Greene (SKD) vs. Dasha Ivenitsky (VAS) 6-3, 5-2, unfinished

Doubles Competition
1. Madie Benn/Michelle Fuca (SKD) def. Shayna Becker/Tara Edwards (VAS) 8-2
2. Ada Wiggins/Brianna Greene (SKD) def. Kate Christensen/Morgane Flournoy (VAS) 9-7
3. Alexa Goldberg/Jessica Ampel (SKD) def. Connie Yoo/Dasha Ivenitsky (VAS) 8-1

Match Notes:
Vassar 16-5; National ranking #40; Regional ranking #14
Skidmore 12-7; National ranking #20; Regional ranking #8
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,3)
Liberty League Women's Tennis Championship
Official: Frank Thomas T-2:40 A-75