In a highly anticipated clash, the No. 4 Princeton University Tigers defeated the defending national champion and No. 5 ranked Trinity College Bantams, 6–3, on Sunday afternoon.
Princeton asserted control early in the match, jumping out to a lead with a 3 win sweep. The Tigers secured pivotal wins from Zeina Zein at the No. 1 spot, Samantha Jaffe at No. 6, and Liyen Teoh at No. 7, putting the home team on their heels immediately.
Trinity mounted a spirited comeback through the middle of the fight. The highlight of the day for the Bantams came at the No. 2 position, where Hannah Chukwu staged a remarkable comeback. After dropping the first two games to Princeton’s Alexandra Jaffe, Chukwu rallied to win three straight (8-11, 6-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-8) to put a point on the board. Trinity also picked up wins from Doyce Ye San Lee (No. 4) and Malak Aly (No. 5).
However, the Tigers’ ultimately proved too much for the hosts. Princeton withstood Trinity’s mid-match rally with gritty performances in the lower third of the lineup. Sonya Sasson survived a five-game marathon at the No. 9 spot, holding off Elisenda Ruiz-Kaiser 3–2, while Hermione Cao secured a definitive 3–1 victory at No. 8 to help clinch the team victory.
The win completes a weekend sweep for Princeton in Connecticut, while Trinity will look to regroup as they move deeper into the season.
Full Match Results
Princeton 6, Trinity 3
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1S: Zeina Zein (Prin) def. Thanusaa Uthrian (Trin) | 3–1 (11-13, 13-11, 11-9, 11-5)
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2S: Hannah Chukwu (Trin) def. Alexandra Jaffe (Prin) | 3–2 (8-11, 6-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-8)
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3S: Emma Trauber (Prin) def. Kara Lincou (Trin) | 3–1 (11-13, 11-2, 11-8, 13-11)
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4S: Doyce Ye San Lee (Trin) def. Charlotte Bell (Prin) | 3–1 (11-6, 8-11, 14-12, 11-5)
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5S: Malak Aly (Trin) def. Caroline Eielson (Prin) | 3–1 (11-5, 12-10, 10-12, 12-10)
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6S: Samantha Jaffe (Prin) def. Varvara Esina (Trin) | 3–0 (11-4, 11-2, 11-8)
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7S: Liyen Teoh (Prin) def. Fabiola Cabello (Trin) | 3–1 (11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8)
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8S: Hermione Cao (Prin) def. Varvara Kliueva (Trin) | 3–1 (12-10, 5-11, 11-3, 11-4)
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9S: Sonya Sasson (Prin) def. Elisenda Ruiz-Kaiser (Trin) | 3–2 (13-11, 11-9, 1-11, 7-11, 11-7)
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10S (Exhibition): Leila Ahmed Saeed Yosry (Prin) def. Kitsy Fox (Trin) | 3–1 (11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 16-14)
