Gophers Compete in Day One of Goucher Invitational

TOWSON, Md. - The Goucher College women's tennis team competed in the first day of the two-day Goucher Invitational on Saturday and turned in several strong performances.

The doubles tandem of Ceri McCaffrey (Ardsley, N.Y. / Ardsley) and Gigi Bellisario (Elmer, N.J. / Woodstown) took first place in pool play in the A doubles pool by going 3-0.  The pair defeated Shea Przywieczerski and Madison Toothman of Frostburg State 6-0, 6-0 and Sydney Anderson and Amber Manspeaker of St. Mary's (Md.) 6-1, 6-0 in the first two rounds.  In the third round and a matchup of the two 2-0 teams, McCaffrey and Bellisario rallied for a 4-6, 6-4, 11-9 win over Sophia Pasquale and Kierstyn Fenimore of Stockton.

Sarai Silvera (Houston, Texas / Harmony School of Discovery) will play for the E singles championship on Sunday.  She was up 6-0, 2-0 in her first match before her opponent withdrew, then in the semifinals she downed Justine Gardella of Ramapo 6-3, 6-1.  She wlll face Pamela Kontaras of Immaculata in Sunday's final. 

Shelby Meek (Halethorpe, Md. / Catonsville) and Eliza Abady (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. / The Masters School) finished in third in the B doubles draw.  After dropping their first match, the tandem defeated Jenna Muttik and Audrey Keen of Immaculata 6-1, 6-0 then prevailed 6-0, 6-3 in the third place match against Betsy Hixson and Sydney Goering of Frostburg.

Sara Healy (Waterford, Va. / Woodgrove) and Alex DiGiovanni (York, Pa. / Dover) were 6-0, 6-0 winners over Katie Gardner and Sydney Mehaffey of Immaculata, then fell 6-2, 7-5 to Catherine Haley and Tierney Cantwell of Gettysburg in the bracket semifinals.  The pair rebounded for a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 10-5 win over Erika Femne and Cherise Jenkins of Frostburg.