Women's Tennis Comes Up Short Against Thiel

Sept. 15 – BETHANY, W. Va. – The Bethany women's tennis team received a solid, all-around effort from sophomore Alyssa Smydo, but came up just short against Thiel College, falling 5-4 to the Tomcats in conference play.

Smydo (Bentleyville, W. Va./Bentowrth) was the lone double winner on the day for the Green & White, winner her second-consecutive singles contest at No. 4, while also taking a win at No. 2 doubles with partner Sarah Thrall (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills).

In doubles action, the Bison found themselves trailing 2-1, picking up a point at #2 thanks to Smydo and Thrall. The duo defeated Thiel's Kaela Reinhart and Margo Kimble by an impressive 8-2 score. The win marked the first doubles victory of the season for the pair.

Trailing by a point heading into singles play, the Bison hung tough, but managed to take just three points, falling by a 5-4 score.

Smydo made it a clean-sweep on the day, as she won her second-consecutive singles point, defeating the Tomcats' Kimble in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Other singles winners for the Green & White included freshmen Pia Hager (Stuttgart, Germany) and Anna Heizler (Stegen, Germany).

Hager continued to impress, winning her sixth-consecutive singles match to open the season. The freshman took down Thiel's Kayla Mittner (6-3, 6-2), and is now a perfect 12-0 in sets played on the year.

Heizler snagged the first victory of her career, upending Reinhart in straight sets to grab the win. Heizler captured the win at No. 3 singles by scores of 6-1 and 6-4.

Bethany will be back in action on Wednesday, September 16 when they host PAC opponent, Grove City College. The matchup is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. start.