College Feature
Williams College Repeats as 2009 NCAA Division III National Champs
by Julie Wrege, 29 May 2009
Big things happen when Williams and Emory square off in the NCAA Division III Women's Championships. The past three times these teams have met, the winner has gone on to claim the title.
2009 was no different. Williams defeated Emory 5-0 in the semifinals and then successfully defended their championship by upending top-seeded
Amherst College 5-2. The title was the fourth overall for the Ephs (19-2).
The Williams and Amherst coaches both expected a close match in the fnial, and they should know - they had already met three times this season. Williams had posted a 6-3 win last fall, while Amherst won two hotly-contested 5-4 victories this spring - including a match that netted Amherst the NESCAC Championship.
Prior to the championship match, Coach Jackie Bagwell of Amherst talked about her team.
"The girls have worked really hard, and they are going to leave it on the court today. They are ready to do work today. Win or lose, we have had a blast this season - we have had a lot of fun."
Williams head coach Alison Swain said that even though her team was the defending champions, they felt like the underdogs as the second seed going into the final.
"Typically we play Amherst two or three times each year. I believe that the last time Williams played Amherst in the finals of the NCAAs was back in 1999. But we are excited to be in this position and for this opportunity."
As expected, Amherst came out strong in doubles, taking the first and third positions in convincing fashion.
"We were up 2-1 after doubles and really felt like we had the momentum," said Coach Bagwell after the match. "Williams really stepped it up and played well. They are a really, really tough team. I was thrilled to beat them the two times we did, and sometimes I wonder how we did it.
