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With the pressure on, women’s tennis delivers, beating Harvard 4–3

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Nicole Kalhorn won the game-deciding match Sunday at Harvard. Photo Credit: GoPrincetonTigers.com

The women’s tennis team (14–4, 3–0 Ivy League) is dominating the Ivy League on the road with an undefeated record they extended to 3–0 this past Sunday as they beat Harvard 4–3. Senior Nicole Kalhorn helped seal the win for the Tigers to just edge out Harvard. 

Kalhorn won a grueling match on court 5 only after a tiebreaker to clinch the win for her team. Kalhorn had a rocky start, losing the first set 4–6. The pressure was on: this was the last match still in play, and both teams had 3 points. Unwavering, Kalhorn turned the match around, showing grit and perseverance in the face of her opponent's momentum. Kalhorn won the next two sets 6–3 and 7–6. In the final effort, Kalhorn clinched the win for her team against Harvard, beating her opponent in a tiebreaker 7–4. 

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The Tigers had solid performances in doubles. No. 2 doubles first-year Grace Joyce and junior Clare McKee and No. 3 doubles sophomores Nathalie Rodilosso and Stephanie Schrage pulled out smooth wins to earn the majority doubles point, which was necessary in their slim win against Harvard. 

Yet, the Tigers’ win wasn’t going to be so easy. Harvard proved themselves a threat when they came back and won No. 1, 2, and 6 singles back-to-back, giving up no more than two games per set. Harvard’s Erica Oosterhout was a force to be reckoned with, winning both her No. 1 doubles and singles matches. 

Princeton did not falter, as No. 3 singles Joyce bolstered Princeton’s score with the match she won 6–2, 6–3. McKee won her No. 4 singles match after three sets, defeating her opponent 6–4, 5–7, and 6–3. 

With a good record behind them, the women’s tennis team will once again be on the road, heading to Columbia (13–2, 2–1 Ivy) this Friday. Columbia is having a strong season having just lost a 12-game win streak against Yale. On Sunday, the team will have their home opener against Cornell. 

Princeton is tied for first in the Ivy League with Yale; both teams have 3–0 conference records. Princeton’s start to Ivy play is even more impressive given that the team has played each of its first three conference matches on the road. The Tigers will play their final three matches of the season at home, including the season finale against the Bulldogs. 

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