CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (5/8/2026) - No. 70 Nichols College women's tennis traveled to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to face No. 31 College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in the first round of the 2026 Division III Women's Tennis Championships on Friday morning. After a competitive fight on the DuPont Tennis Courts, the Bison ultimately fell to the Lions, 4-1.

With the loss, Nichols closes out an impressive 2025-26 campaign 15-5. TCNJ improves to 20-1, with their season continuing as they face MIT tomorrow at noon.

The Lions claimed the doubles point after earning victories at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. The matches at second and third doubles both finished at 6-0, while the No. 1 pairing of Kamora Helton and Pamela Gonzalez Vallardi was unfinished with TCNJ holding a 4-3 edge.

TCNJ extended its lead in singles play with straight-set wins at No. 5 and No. 1 singles to move within one point of clinching the match. Erin Helly fell at fifth singles, while Helton battled in the top spot before dropping a competitive second set, 7-5.

Nichols got on the board at No. 3 singles, where Gonzalez Vallardi earned a strong 7-5, 6-2 victory. The Lions ultimately secured the deciding point at No. 6 singles. Two additional singles matches were left unfinished, including a strong effort from Cora Brosch at No. 4 singles up 6-4, 4-4 and Charis Vogler on No. 2 battling through her third set.

Despite the loss, the Bison stamped an impressive season featuring a conference championship win as well multiple conference honors.

DOUBLES
Dakos / Brideau (TCNJ) def. Brosch / Vogler (NIC), 6-0
Ring / Robinson (TCNJ) def. Helly / Rice (NIC), 6-0
Helton / Gonzalez Vallardi (NIC) vs. Albert / Mannan (TCNJ), unfinished, 3-4

SINGLES
Dakos (TCNJ) def. Helton (NIC), 6-0, 7-5
Vogler (NIC) vs. Albert (TCNJ), unfinished, 6-2, 2-6, 2-5
Gonzalez Vallardi (NIC) def. Brideau (TCNJ), 7-5, 6-2
Brosch (NIC) vs. Mannan (TCNJ), unfinished, 6-4, 4-4
Robinson (TCNJ) def. Helly (NIC), 6-0, 6-0
Ring (TCNJ) def. Rice (NIC), 7-5, 6-3