Tennis: WVU Maintains Winning Streak
March 08, 2010 10:20 AM | General
March 8, 2010
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University tennis team (10-2, 4-0 BIG EAST) defeated non-conference foes Morehead State (3-7) and West Virginia State (12-4) yesterday as it traveled to Morehead, Ky., followed by a trip to Charleston, W.Va.
“We did another great job of digging in during a road match in a tough environment and playing our games,” says coach Marc Walters. “We handled ourselves so well all day and made some big points because of it.”
The Mountaineers started off the day strong with a well-fought victory over the Eagles in a 6-1 match at the Wellness Center Indoor Courts.
“Stephanie (LaFortune) finally broke through at the No. 1 spot with a nice win over a girl we have struggled with in the past and she is starting to turn the corner,” says Walters. “Veronica (Cardenas) once again was a stopper in the No. 3 spot as she allowed us to keep momentum. We are gelling as a team and it shows in our performance.”
WVU continued its winning-streak at the Charleston Tennis Center as it defeated the Yellow Jackets 6-1. The Mountaineers swept the doubles competition and lost only one singles match in the No. 5 spot where WVSU’s Ellen Russell defeated sophomore Catie Wickline in a tough third-set tiebreaker.
"It was nice to get a chance to give everyone some repetitions in matches and the girls stepped up with solid showings during a long day,” adds Walters.
The Mountaineers mixed things up by adding Wickline and senior Gabriela Blaskovicova to the lineup for their first matches of the spring season, while allowing the usual competitors to experience action in new spots.
“It was Emily’s first taste of how draining a double header can be at this level,” says Walters. “She did a nice job today at the No. 1 singles and doubles spots in her first action there and she represented us well."
Also contributing to today’s victory was sophomore Kathryn Haught who posted two singles wins for the Mountaineers, while freshman Liv Pettersson recorded a 6-0, 6-1 win over the Yellow jacket’s Erika Acosta in the No. 4 spot.
The Mountaineers will continue action Sunday, March 14 as they play host to California University (Pa.) in a 2 p.m. match at the Ridgeview Racquet Club.
