2009 NCAA Champions

Eph Tennis History

The Williams women’s tennis team has earned many accolades

and titles since the team’s inception in 1971.  In 1994, NESCAC allowed teams to participate in the NCAA Division III Tennis Championships for the first time. This move transitioned the Williams tennis team from competing at the highest level among New England small colleges, to setting their sights on achievements at the national level.
 
In its first NCAA tournament, Williams finished 2nd overall, falling in the finals to UC San Diego with Julie Greenwood ’96 and Becky Mallory ’94 capturing the NCAA championship title in doubles.  Since this first year of national competition, Williams has qualified and competed in the NCAA championship tournament every year winning a second doubles championship title in 1996 with the partnership of Julie Greenwood and Porter Harris ’96.

2008 NCAA Champions

The Ephs won their first NCAA team championship in 2001 and repeated in 2002, becoming the first Division III women’s tennis team to win back-to-back championships. 

In 2008, the team won its third NCAA Championship title in an epic 5-4 victory over previously undefeated Washington & Lee!  Additionally, Cary Gibson ‘09 and Grace Baljon ‘10 made program history as the first two players to advance to the semifinal round of the NCAA individual singles tournament. Cary Gibson advanced to the finals and finished second recording the Ephs' highest finish in the NCAA singles championship. 

In 2009, Williams once again made history by repeating as National Champions with a 5-2 win over archrival, Amherst.  Williams now boasts four national titles in school history, a 4-2 record in championship title matches, and an overall composite of four championship titles over the last nine years.

2001 NCAA Champs: (l. to r.): Julie Mallory, Brooke Gibson, Alison Swain, Kate Troy, Stephanie Hall, Caroline Wasserman, (front row) Julie Greenwood, Selma Kikic and Tracy Cheun

The philosophy of the program is grounded in each player's commitment to the team. The team is a close group of highly trained and highly skilled tennis players who work hard to maintain the program's success. Workouts are designed to maximize team improvement. Practice time is used to improve the strength of the doubles teams, to improve singles strategy through drills and conditioned sets, and to increase court coverage through speed work.

The Williams women’s tennis team competes in both the fall and spring seasons. During the fall, Williams faces the best Division III competition in New England and New York including: Amherst, Middlebury, Vassar, Wellesley, and Tufts. Williams also competes in the ITA tournament each fall where several former Williams players have earned All-American honors for winning either the doubles or singles draws. Since the 1990s, 18 Williams players have earned All-American honors.

2002 NCAA Champs: Front (l. to. r): .Jasmine Bradley, Selma Kikic, head coach Julie Greenwood, Rebcca Marques and Steele Thomas. Standing: Amy Shapiro, Tracy Cheung, Steph Hall, Julie Mallory, Brittany Binet and Kate Troy

In 2007 junior Cary Gibson took home the ITA singles title, winning in three sets over teammate and runner-up Grace Baljon. In 2008, Nikki Reich and Cary Gibson teamed up to take home the ITA doubles crown.

The fall season culminates with the New England Team Championships, which features Fed Cup style of play in "A" and "B" draws.  In 2008, Williams took home the winning titles in both draws.

The off-season of November - February is a time when athletes can raise their endurance levels, make technique changes, and increase their strength training programs. Players who do not play a winter sport are encouraged to hit informally with other teammates on the four indoor courts in the Towne Field House.

The spring season, which starts February 15, is designed to prepare the team and individuals for national level competition. The team uses a trip over spring break to travel to warmer weather and compete against top teams from other NCAA regions. Last year’s one and a half week spring break trip featured wins over Denison, Washington & Lee, Washington University, and Emory University.
 
Dual matches are scheduled at the end of April against top New England and NESCAC opponents in order to prepare for the NCAA championships. Additionally, the team competes in the traditional Williams - Amherst - Wesleyan Little Three Championships every spring. Williams has won the Little Three Championships 14 times.

The NCAA championships are scheduled for mid-late May each year and culminate the spring season for the Ephs.

The Williams tennis facilities offer the serious tennis player a place to train throughout the academic year with 18 hard courts for practices and matches. In the fall and the spring, the team has eight indoor courts available. During the winter, the team has access to four indoor courts in Towne Field House. Williams is a terrific option for the student-athlete who wants to continue to improve her tennis game while receiving the best in liberal arts education.

The Torrence M. Hunt Tournament Cours have played host to NCAA and ITA tournament action

The Williams women's tennis program has consistently produced successful, competitive teams since the program's inception in 1971. The Williams team has finished among the top ten schools in New England Division III every year since 1971, and in the 1990s has established itself as one of the top Division III schools both in New England and nationally -- NCAA champions: 2001, 2002, 2008 & 2009; second place 1994 & 1999; third place 2003 & 2004. Moreover, the program focuses on the attributes of team camaraderie and sportsmanship.  In 2003, the Williams tennis team was awarded the ITA National Sportsmanship Award for all of college tennis.  Ultimately, the team’s commitment to competitive excellence and each other continues their legacy of success.