Deerfield came within spitting distance of a victory over perennial tennis powerhouse Hotchkiss on Saturday. Highlights included Julia Ferrante’s 7-5 pro-set with her opponent at #4 singles, which Ferrante finished out in an 8-5 tiebreak set win. Acy Cai and Annabel Gerber at #1 doubles proved a ferocious pair, winning the first set in an easy 6-1 and maintaining strength over a reenergized Hotchkiss pair in the second to win 7-5. At third doubles, Cameron Heard and Liz Tarasi dropped the first set in a tiebreak, then won the second set with a smooth 6-2 victory, forcing a third 11-point tiebreak. The two eked out Hotchkiss for the win, 11-9. Matches at 1, 2, and 3 singles were tough for Kendal Duff, Whitney Vogt, and Sasha Hinckley, but the three tried their best against talented opponents. The heartbreak of the day was in two doubles: Ally Kell and Anne Brown split sets with their opponents, first 6-4 to DA and then 4-6 to the Bearcats. In the 11-point tiebreak, Hotchkiss ultimately won 12-10, but being a few bounces within a victory felt good for the whole team!