The women’s tennis team turned things around this weekend as they took on the Connecticut College Camels in New London on Saturday afternoon and came home with a 5-4 win. After losing two out of their last three matches, the Cards needed this victory to maintain their goal of making it to the NESCAC playoffs. The Cardinals now hold a 10-3 record (2-3 in the NESCAC) with four regular-season matches remaining.

Wesleyan started off the day with a solid doubles round, picking up two of the three possible points. The number one duo, Anika Fischer ’10 and Sarah Miller ’12, played a hard fought match, but were unable to come out on top and fell by a 4-8 score. At number two, the power pair of Genevieve Aniello ’13 and Linda McDougal ’11 took the first win for Wesleyan as they triumphed over the Camels 8-2. The number three doubles team, Casey Simchik ’10 and Taylor Morales ’13, also came through with another big victory as they defeated their opponents 8-1.

Even after dominating the doubles rounds, however, the Cardinals knew the battle was not over yet.

“I was nervous going into my match because I saw that everyone’s scores were really close,” Aniello said. “But we’re all really excited that we pulled out the win.”

Luckily, the pre-game nerves were quickly shaken off, as the singles rounds began and the Cardinals were able to maintain their lead over the Camels. In the number one spot, Fischer played a long, competitive match, but was unable to hold on long enough and finished with a 5-7, 3-6 loss. Playing at number two, Miller was able to get things started for the Cards, as she won her match 6-4, 6-2. Aniello also came through with another big 6-4, 6-4 win at the number three spot. The number four player, Meredith Holmes ’10, faced off against a tough competitor, and unfortunately fell 1-6, 1-6. The number five singles McDougal suffered a similar fate, as she was defeated 6-7, 3-6. Playing at number six, Simchik closed out the day with a final 6-3, 6-2 win for the Cards.

This was the Cardinals’ third consecutive victory over Conn. College after breaking a four-match losing streak in 2007. Now that the Cards are finally back on track, they are fired up and ready to move on to their next opponent.

Wesleyan’s season continues as they take on the leaders of the NESCAC, the Amherst Lord Jeffs, on Saturday. Amherst currently holds a 27-match winning streak versus Wesleyan. The Cards have not beaten the Lord Jeffs since 1980.