Norton, Mass. - September 10, 2016 - The Springfield College women's tennis program put forth a valiant effort, but came up short, as the Pride was defeated by Wheaton College, 5-4, in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Saturday afternoon in Norton.

With the loss, the Pride falls to 0-2 to start the year, while the Lyons level its record at 1-1 on the year. Springfield College picked up its four victories in No. 3 Doubles, and No. 3, No. 4 and No. 6 singles.

Benefitting from an 8-3 win at the No. 3 doubles slot by Nicole Piazza (Portland, Conn.) and Rachel Litchfield (Northbridge, Mass.), the Pride went in to singles play trailing the Lyons, 2-1.

Senior Rachel London (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) fell to Ines de Bracamonte (Sunny Isles Beach, Fla.) in the No. 1 singles slot, 6-0, 6-2, before Melissa Parrish (Framingham, Mass.) dropped a 6-3, 6-2 decision to Isabelle Garvanne (Los Angeles, Calif.) in the No. 2 singles slot. Litchfield took care of business at No. 3 singles, defeating Jodi Katz (Needham, Mass.), 6-4, 7-5, while Emily Etter (Guilford, Conn.) bested Connor O'Keefe (Lutz, Fla.), 6-4, 3-6, 11-9, at No. 4 singles.

After Kelsey Whelpley (Mastic Beach, N.Y.) narrowly fell 7-5, 6-4, at No. 5 singles, Piazza was able to defeat Arielle Klopsis (West Islip, N.Y.), 6-0, 6-2 in No. 6 singles to finish off the match.

Springfield will return to the Appleton Courts on Sunday, September 11 when it will host NEWMAC-foe MIT at 1 p.m.