BOSTON, Mass. -- Senior Olivia Lakes (Dorchester, Mass.) won the final singles match of her collegiate career to lead the Simmons College women's tennis team in an 8-1 loss to visiting University of New Haven this afternoon at Daly Courts in Brighton, Mass. The Sharks conclude the 2017-18 campaign with an 11-9 record, while the Chargers improve to 10-9.

Lakes made her final collegiate match a memorable one, outlasting junior Lauryn Burridge (Center Moriches, N.Y.) in the last match of the day, winning a thrilling three-setter. Burridge captured the opening set, 6-4, before Lakes bounced back to dominate the middle set, 6-0. Burridge took a 7-3 lead in the final super-tie-breaking third set, before Lakes used her lob game to win six straight games to take a 9-7 margin. Burridge closed to within 9-8, before Lakes won the final game, the set (10-8) and the match.

First year Stephanie Gonzalez (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) was a double-winner with wins at first singles and doubles to lead New Haven. She combined with first year Lilia Rodriguez (Bayamon, Puerto Rico) for an 8-3 victory at number one doubles over the Simmons sophomore duo of Nickie Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam/Saint Joseph Prep (MA)) and Marissa Johnson (Norwell, Mass.). Gonzalez dropped just one game in a 6-1, 6-0 triumph at first singles over Nguyen. Rodriguez picked up a singles win at number two with a 6-0, 6-1 decision over Johnson. 

Junior Caitlyn Burridge (Center Moriches, N.Y.) joined sophomore Nicole Calabrese (Staten Island, N.Y.) for an 8-3 victory at number two doubles over the Sharks' tandem of Lakes and junior Paola Rios (Miami, Fla.). The sophomore pair of Shelby Clyne (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) and Angela Mercurio (Bay Shore, N.Y.) registered an 8-0 win at third doubles for New Haven over junior Michelle Medici (South Portland, Maine) and juinior Kalen Michals (South Orange, N.J.). Burridge won in straight sets for the Chargers at fourth singles over Rios, 6-4, 6-2. Mercurio was a winner at third singles for New Haven as well, earning a 6-1, 6-1 verdict over Medici, while Clyne didn't drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 win at number six singles over Michals.

The Chargers finish their season April 24 at the New Haven women's tennis courts with a Nutmeg State battle against the Post Eagles at 7:00 pm.