KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Sophomore Risa Fukushige and junior Renee Karchere-Sun of the Skidmore College women's tennis team had strong early showings at the NCAA Individual Championships, but fell in the opening rounds on Friday, held on the campus of Kalamazoo College.
 
With early rain forcing the action indoors, Fukushige got off to a strong start in her first round match, taking the first set against Pomona-Pitzer's Maria Lyven, 6-1. Lyven took the second set, 6-3 to tie things up. Unfortunately for Fukushige, she was unable to finish due to cramping, and Lyven advanced after both competitors began the third set 1-1. Fukushige finished her season with a strong 21-7 record.
 
Despite the cramps, Fukushige was able to team up with Karchere-Sun, as the duo took on Sarah Bashoun and Nicole Tan of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges. It was a valiant effort for the Skidmore duo, but the run ended in the round of 16, by a 6-4, 6-2 score. Fukushige and Karchere-Sun ended their season with a 14-6 record.