PRINCETON, NJ - Franklin & Marshall College used wins at #1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 to knock off Hamilton College 5-4 in the opening round of the 2005 Walker Cup, part of the Howe Cup National Championships, hosted by Princeton University.

For the Diplomats, #1 Freddy McNeely (So., Newtown Square, PA/Hill School) swept past Caroline Steers 3-0 (9-0, 9-0, 9-0), while #2 Jessica Mitchell (So., Devonshire, Bermuda/Canterbury School) coasted past Betsy McDermott 3-0 (9-1, 9-1, 9-4) before Minal Patel (Jr., Avon, CT/Westminster School) overcame Kat Tuckerman 3-2 (4-9, 9-5, 9-6, 3-9, 9-6) in a back-and-forth #3 match.

Franklin & Marshall secured the victory as Lizzy Denenberg (Jr., Wilmington, DE/Sanford School) handled Casey Cook 3-1 (9-5, 9-1, 1-9, 9-7) at #5 and Virginia Rollins (So., Baltimore, MD/McDonogh School) dropped Lindsay Walsh 3-2 (9-3, 9-10, 5-9, 9-2, 9-6) at #7 for the 5-4 win.

The victory avenges a 5-4 loss to Hamilton on January 29 at the Mt. Holyoke/Smith Tournament and raises Franklin & Marshall's record to 7-3 all-time against the Continentals.

Named in honor of Yale Coach Dale Walker, the Walker cup is contested among teams ranked #17-24 in the nation.

Franklin & Marshall (9-8) will return to action on February 19 versus Vassar in the winners' bracket of the Walker Cup. Match time is scheduled for 9:00 a.m.

Franklin & Marshall 5, Hamilton 4
1. Freddy McNeely (F&M) def. Caroline Steers (H) 3-0 (9-0, 9-0, 9-0)
2. Jessica Mitchell (F&M) def. Betsy McDermott (H) 3-0 (9-1, 9-1, 9-4)
3. Minal Patel (F&M) def. Kat Tuckerman (H) 3-2 (4-9, 9-5, 9-6, 3-9, 9-6)
4. Natalie Schwerin (H) def. Amanda Lesko (F&M) 3-2 (9-0, 5-9, 0-9, 10-8, 9-6)
5. Lizzy Denenberg (F&M) def. Casey Cook (H) 3-1 (9-5, 9-1, 1-9, 9-7)
6. Monica Schwerin (H) def. Barbara Bee (F&M) 3-1 (6-9, 9-6, 9-3, 10-8)
7. Gini Rollins (F&M) def. Lindsay Walsh (H) 3-2 (9-3, 9-10, 5-9, 9-2, 9-6)
8. Sarah Coleman (H) def. Roshni Lodhia (F&M) 3-0 (9-1, 9-1, 9-0)
9. Kate Caldwell (H) def. Cherice Mahal (F&M) 3-0 (9-0, 9-1, 9-1)