MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The 18^th-ranked Skidmore College women's tennis team earned a point in doubles, but fell to host Middlebury 5-1 in the NCAA Division III Women Tennis Tournament Regional Final Saturday, held at the Proctor Tennis Courts.
 
Skidmore finishes its season with a 17-6 record. The 17 wins are the most since the 2013-14 season. Middlebury (16-3), ranked fourth in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) national rankings, are the regional champions and will advance to the national quarterfinal match for the fourth season in a row, to be held at the Bliszantz Tennis Center in Claremont, Calif. on May 21.
 
The Thoroughbreds earned their lone point, thanks to a solid comeback effort at first doubles. Michelle Fuca and Risa Fukushige held an early lead on Middlebury's Katherine Hughes/Skylar Schossberger, the 17^th-ranked duo in the country. After Middlebury rallied to take a 5-4 lead, the Skidmore pair fought back, winning two games in a row to take a 6-5 lead, finishing the match with the 8-5 win. At No. 2, Skidmore's team of Ada Wiggins and Renee Karchere-Sun nearly rallied from a 6-3 deficit, but were held off by Maddi Stow and Catherine Blaze, 8-6. Middlebury won at third doubles by an 8-0 score as the Panthers took a 2-1 lead into singles.
 
Middlebury won singles matches at Nos. 2, 3, and 5, earning the team victory.


"I couldn't be more proud of how this team competed not just today, but the entire season," said head coach Curt Speerschneider. "They were a true team in all aspects of the word. We'll miss our two seniors, Michelle and Alexa. They had wonderful careers here and the program has a bright future because of the standard they set in their four years. This was a special group and season for sure."