Waterville, Maine - The Colby Women's Tennis team hosted NESCAC rival Bates College outside on Wednesday afternoon in an important NESCAC matchup for postseason play and seeding. 

The Mules started out strong in doubles play, sweeping all three courts against their Bobcats opponents. First-year Waka Aida and sophomore Jade Finestone were the first to secure their doubles match, cruising past their Bates opponents 6-2, returning excellent throughout the doubles set at the #3 spot. At the #1 spot, junior captain Isabella Suk and sophomore Michaela Landry secured the doubles point for the Mules, winning 6-3. At the #2 spot, junior captain Amelie Gal and first-year Ella Novion rounded things off with a 6-4 win, coming back from an early deficit. 

With the doubles point secured, Colby headed into singles play up 1-0 in the overall dual match. Novion was first to finish her match, securing a dominant 6-4, 6-1 victory at the #3 spot, adding to her impressive first year in dual play. Landry was next to add a point for the Mules at the #2 spot, coming back from 2-5 down in the second set to remarkably win 6-2, 7-6(2) against her Bates opponent. With the Mules one match away from clinching an important victory, Gal stepped up to the plate. At the #6 spot, the junior captain fended off a tricky opponent, winning 6-3, 7-6(7) to clinch the win for Colby. First-year Anna Rende added onto the Mules' victories, defeating her Bates opponent 6-2, 7-6(1) at the #5 spot. Aida also picked up a gritty win at the #4 position, coming back from a set down and battling through injury to defeat her opponent 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. 

At the end of the match, Colby won by a score of 6-1 against the Bobcats, improving their overall record to 7-8 and picking up their fourth NESCAC win of the season. The Mules will look to end their regular season strong with a matchup against Tufts University Saturday morning.