Gloucester runs to second straight DIII women's tennis national title
October 25, 2013
Release courtesy of Kevin Hanlon, Rockland CC - Photo by Walter Hauck, Westchester CC
Flushing Meadows, N.Y. - Under the direction of head coach Brian Rowan, the Gloucester (N.J.) Roadrunners tallied 41 team points to claim its second consecutive NJCAA Division III Women's Tennis Championship Friday afternoon at the UTSA Bill Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
As the action concluded at the long-time home of the U.S Open, Gloucester increased its lead to 17 points in front of national runner-up Fashion Institute of Technology (N.Y.). Rock Valley (Ill.) finished third with 19.5 points, while Suffolk (N.Y.) tallied 19 points to finish fourth.
Two unseeded players faced off in finals of No. 1 singles with Jenna Brophy of Hudson Valley (N.Y.) besting Grace Wills of Brookdale (N.J.) 7-5, 3-6 and 6-4.
The Roadrunners dominated the rest of the brackets, claiming titles in five of six singles flights and all three doubles divisions. Gloucester's Vicky Russell defeated Keerthana Sivaramakrishnan of FIT in No. 2 singles, Tori Yeich then took down Suffolk's Amanda Van Nostrand in the third singles. In the finals of No. 4 singles, Kelly Davis handled Vanessa Salazar of Rock Valley. Marthalyn Johnson then outlasted Ashley Yakaboski of FIT in sixth singles, 6-2, 2-6, 6-0.
Lauren Palmerchuck and Becky Pierpont teamed up to take the second doubles title in three sets, while on an adjacent court, Jessica Barney and Kelly Stanton used a third stanza to win the third doubles flight. Their victories helped Gloucester sweep the doubles competition as Terra McHenry and Russell cruised to a straight set victory in first doubles.
Along with Rowan being named Coach of the Tournament for the second straight season, Sivaramakrishnan of FIT was a near unanimous selection for the first annual Spirit of Competition Award.
Final Team Standings
1. Gloucester - 41
2. Fashion IT - 24
3. Rock Valley - 19.5
4. Suffolk - 19
5. Broome - 15.5
6. Hudson Valley - 15
7. Brookdale - 12.5
8. Hagerstown - 3.5
9. Ocean - 3
Final Results - PDF