
Paxton, MA --- Worcester State captured all three doubles matches and four of six singles matches to earn a 7-2 triumph over UMass Boston in Little East Conference women's tennis action today at the Paxton Sports Center.
The sixth-seeded Lancers (6-7, 3-5 LEC) will face-off against #3 Salem State in the quarterfinals of next week's LEC Tournament on Tuesday at 3 o'clock. The bid for the Blue and Gold marks the first post-season berth for the team since the squad joined the conference three years ago.
UMass Boston wraps up their campaign at 3-10 and 1-7 in the nine-team league circuit.
Sophomore teammates Danielle Candelieri (Chelmsford, MA) and Taylor Tomasetti (Waterford, CT) came from behind to earn the 8-6 win at first doubles. On the other court as the second seed, freshman Megan Shepard (Middletown, CT) and sophomore Miranda Biron (Webster, MA) matched the score and also rallied from a 5-2 deficit for the victory.
Third-year Brooke Michanczyk (Middletown, MA) and classmate Laura Sarkis (W. Springfield, MA) completed the sweep with the 8-4 triumph at third doubles.
UMass Boston started off solo play well when senior Hieu Nguyen (Dorchester, MA) won at the top flight (6-1 and 6-4) while junior Samantha Counts (Bridgewater, MA) was victorious at second singles by scores of 7-5, 4-6 and 6-1.
But the Lancers put the contest away with the next two match-ups. Biron started things with the 6-3 and 6-0 win at fourth singles as Michanczyk followed with the 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) win at third singles.
Sarkis tacked on the 6-4 and 6-3 point at fifth singles and freshman Cassandra Goncalves (Ludlow, MA) was triumphant as the sixth seed (6-1 and 6-3).