Tennis: Percival Reaches Milestone in WVU Sweep
April 11, 2008 11:11 PM | General
By Steve Stone for MSNsportsNET.com
April 11, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University tennis team defeated BIG EAST rival Villanova, 7-0, on Friday afternoon at the Villanova Tennis Complex in Villanova, Pa.
The Mountaineers (13-7, 3-1 BIG EAST) earned their fifth shutout victory of the season and won eight of nine matches. The victory boosts their chance for a higher seed at the BIG EAST Championships on April 17-20 in Tampa, Fla.
Senior Stacey Percival became the 20th Mountaineer to earn 100 career victories when she teamed with Natalia Prinz to defeat Reed-Williamson at No. 1 doubles, 9-8 (7-5). She then moved into a tie for 19th place on the all-time list when she grabbed her 101st win over Carla Erskine at No. 1 singles, 7-5, 6-3.
“Stacey had a good day,” said WVU Head Coach Marc Walters. “I really liked the way she played today. She hung in there against a girl that hit some good shots and played very tough.”
Prinz scored two victories on the day as well, beating Courtney Reed at No. 3 singles in a tiebreaker, 6-4, 3-6 (10-7). The senior has 23 wins this season in singles and doubles competition.
Monica Lyskawa continued her solid stretch by defeating Emily Urda at No. 2 singles, 7-5, 6-1. She also joined Stephanie LaFortune at No. 2 doubles to defeat Reed-Phillis, 8-3. Lyskawa improves to 24-12 on the season as she seeks her second consecutive 30-win season.
LaFortune was impressive in her second straight match at No. 5 singles, defeating Ashley Reed, 6-4, 7-6. The sophomore’s remarkable turnaround continues as she improves on last season’s win total by eight matches, holding a 23-11 record.
Colleen Speaker dominated at the No. 4 spot, winning over Daniella Phillis, 6-2, 6-0. The Morgantown native now has 11 victories in singles play, her highest total as a Mountaineer.
Pilsbury also performed well in her rout over Natasha Stone. The freshman won 6-0, 6-1, and is one win shy of becoming the fifth Mountaineer to record her 20th win this season.
WVU returns to action with a BIG EAST match on Saturday, April 12, against the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Conn. The match is scheduled to be played at 1 p.m., but will move indoors to 3 p.m. if inclement weather occurs.
WVU-7 Villanova-0
Singles
1. Stacey Percival (WVU) def. Carla Erskine (VU), 7-5, 6-3
2. Monica Lyskawa (WVU) def. Emily Urda (VU), 7-5, 6-1
3. Natalia Prinz (WVU) def. Courtney Reed (VU), 6-4, 3-6 (10-7)
4. Colleen Speaker (WVU) def. Daniella Phillis (VU), 6-2, 6-0
5. Stephanie LaFortune (WVU) def. Ashley Reed (VU), 6-4, 7-6
6. Ashley Pilsbury (WVU) def. Natasha Stone (VU), 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
1. Percival/Prinz (WVU) def. A. Reed/Williamson (VU), 9-8 (7-5)
2. Lyskawa/LaFortune (WVU) def. C. Reed/Phillis (VU), 8-3
3. Erskine/Urda (VU) def. Pilsbury/Burton (WVU), 8-3
