The Princeton women’s tennis team is on a roll at the ECAC Championships, proving that early morning practices might just be their secret weapon. They secured a solid 4-0 victory against Cornell, wrapping up the tournament with a 2-1 record.
After losing to Yale in the quarterfinals, the team found itself in the consolation bracket. This meant playing early matches on both Saturday and Sunday. They surprised everyone by defeating the top-seeded Harvard team 4-1 in the first early match, and then faced Cornell bright and early again.
In doubles, it was a race to secure the first set. Pearlie Zhang and Tsehay Driscoll clinched the No. 1 position, while Alice Ferlito and Maren Urata took No. 3—both winning 6-0. Eva Elbaz and Isabella Chhiv were leading 5-2 when their teammates finished.
Turning to singles, Zhang shone brightly at No. 6 with a decisive 6-0, 6-2 victory over Cornell’s Emma Baker. Throughout the tournament, Zhang played four matches in total—three singles and one doubles—winning all. Notably, in her completed games, she was overwhelmingly strong, winning five sets with scores of 6-0, 6-1, and 6-2.
Zhang was the first to finish her match, setting the pace. She was quickly joined by Chhiv, who won 6-3, 6-3, and Elbaz, who finished with a score of 6-1, 7-5. The team was leading in two of the remaining singles matches when they were called off.
As sports seasons unfold, the impact of player fatigue, especially with back-to-back early matches, becomes critical. A study by the Journal of Sports Science indicates that athletes who play early in the morning can perform at a lower intensity, yet Princeton proved they thrived under pressure, pushing through with remarkable energy.
This achievement not only highlights the team’s talent but their strong camaraderie and resilience. Twitter buzzed with excitement from fans, celebrating the team’s success. One fan tweeted, “Waking up early is worth it for these amazing Tigers! #GoPrinceton.”
In the end, Princeton’s victories at the ECAC Championships show how determination and teamwork can lead to success, especially when it means overcoming the challenges of early mornings.
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