BOSTON – Ram Nation now has the chance to get a glimpse into Suffolk Athletics history though clippings and pictures from the Rams’ record books and archives.
On this date, October 28, 2007, the University’s women’s tennis hoisted its first-ever Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title after a come-from-behind 9-7 win by senior Jen Nelson and freshman Alex Hernandez at number two doubles provided the deicing point in a 5-4 dual-match victory over second-seeded Simmons at the Weymouth Club.
Nelson and Hernandez, the 2007 GNAC Co-Rookie of the Year, battle back from a 5-2 deficit and scored six straight to take down the Sharks’ pair of Dominika Hudcova and Maile Macleod, 8-2. That win helped cap an unbeaten campaign for the blue-and-gold, who finished the fall 14-0 overall and earn the league’s automatic berth into the 2008 NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Championships.
Nelson’s comeback effort was present in singles play as well and provided a key point for Suffolk’s success. The 2005 and 2006 GNAC Player of the Year overcame a pair of deficits to post a three-set victory in the third singles slot, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, over Hudcova.
Sophomores Kaitlynn Cates and Catarina Rosa joined Nelson in posting singles wins for the Rams, who posted its second victory over Simmons in eight days after ending the Sharks’ 37-match GNAC Win streak on October 20, 2007 with a 6-3 dual-match triumph that gave the blue-and-gold regular-season title.
Simmons, who entered the championship contest as the three-time defending tournament champions, gained a split of the three singles matches and took a 4-3 lead after an 8-2 win at number three doubles.
Suffolk evened the matters when the tandem of junior Kellie Sturma and Cates claimed an 8-6 triumph on the first doubles court to set the stages for the heroics of Nelson and Hernandez that pushed the Rams to the title.
2007 GNAC CHAMPIONSHIP
SINGLES
1 – Alex Yudelevich (Simmons) defeated Kellie Sturma (Suffolk), 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
2 – Kaitlynn Cates (Suffolk) defeated Kendra Currier (Simmons), 6-0, 6-1
3 – Jen Nelson (Suffolk) defeated Dominika Hudcova (Simmons), 2-6, 6-3, 7-6
4 – Lauren Faber (Simmons) defeated Alex Hernandez (Suffolk), 6-7, 6-4, 6-0
5 – Catarina Rosa (Suffolk) defeated Katy Hallinan (Simmons), 2-6, 6-2, 6-2Z
6 – Maile Macleod (Simmons) defeated Rachael Troia (Suffolk), 6-2, 6-1
DOUBLES
1 – Kellie Sturma/Kaitlynn Cates (Suffolk) defeated Alex Yudeleivhc/Kendra Currier (Simmons), 8-6
2 – Jen Nelson/Alex Hernandez (Suffolk) defeated Dominika Hudcova/Maile Macleod (Simmons), 8-2
3 – Lauren Faber/Jordan Borash (Simmons) defeated Catrina Rosa/Rachael Troia (Suffolk), 8-2
The Rams’ 2007 women’s tennis squad went on to be enshrined in the Suffolk’s Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2016.
Be on the lookout for more historical days in Suffolk Athletics history and use the hashtag #RamsRewind to see them all.
If there is a day from your time at Suffolk that should be included, please complete this form or contact Sports Information Directory Amy Barry at abarry7@suffolk.edu