Takeuchi Named League’s Top Rookie, Six Named NEAC All-Conference

CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. – Following an undefeated season at No. 3 singles for the Wells College women's tennis team, Ayumi Takeuchi (Eniwa, Hokkaido, Japan) was named the North Eastern Athletic Conference West Division Rookie of the Year for her performance across the 2012-13 women's tennis season, the conference office announced late Sunday afternoon. In addition to Takeuchi, six players from Wells College were selected to All-Conference teams following the individual portion of the 2012-13 NEAC West Division Women's Tennis Tournament that concluded Sunday afternoon.

Takeuchi, who posted a 10-0 record at No. 3 singles this year, becomes the first player in Wells College history to be undefeated at any flight of singles play in recorded history. Additionally, Takeuchi posted back-to-back singles victories on Sunday, including a 6-3, 6-0 defeat of Nikki Wilkins of Keuka and a 6-1, 7-5 ousting of Penn St.-Abington's Olya Popili in the No. 3 singles championship match, bringing her unofficial season singles record to 12-0.

By winning the No. 3 singles championship as an individual, Takeuchi joins senior Caitlyn Copfer (Clinton, N.Y.) as the other Wells' First-Team All-Conference selection – Takeuchi was named First Team at No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles, partnering with Copfer to defeat doubles teams from Penn St.-Berks and Penn St.-Abington. Takeuchi and Copfer were 7-3 overall on the year at No. 1 doubles and posted two additional victories this weekend for an unofficial mark of 9-3.

Senior Kelly Pietruch (Whitesboro, N.Y.) and freshman Taryn Heath (Homer, N.Y.) and were named to the Second Team All-Conference after victories at No. 4 and No. 5 singles, respectively, after falling in the championship match of their respective singles flights. Junior Brittany Vanno (Whitesboro, N.Y.) and Heath were named Second Team All-Conference at No. 2 doubles after falling to Sam Warga and Allison Monkman from Penn St.-Berks.

Copfer earned Third Team All-Conference merits after claiming a 6-4, 4-6, 10-6 victory over Jenny Abraham in the consolation match at No. 1 singles. Pietruch teamed with freshman Brooke Benedetto (Williamstown, N.Y.) to claim a No. 3 doubles victory in the consolation match to round out the All-Conference selection.

To open tournament play on Saturday, Wells was ousted from the team portion of the NEAC West Division Championship Tournament by the Nittany Lions of Penn St.-Berks via a 5-2 margin Saturday afternoon at the Birchwood Tennis Club.

For a full list of results from this weekend's action, click here.

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