HOLDEN, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's tennis team snapped a two-game losing streak and defeated the visiting Colonials of Western Connecticut State University 6-3 Friday afternoon at the Wachusett Regional High School tennis courts.
"The top of the lineup was challenged today against some strong competitors, but the depth in our lineup helped us out big time today," commented head coach Courteney Blais.
Worcester State started the day with two doubles sweeps at the No. 2 and No. 3 slots. Lauren Taylor (Attleboro, Mass.) and Alexis Silk (Greenfield, Mass.) improved to 2-0 in doubles play, while Nathalie Khafaga (Auburn, Mass.) and Isabel Badeau (Cumberland, R.I.) earned their first doubles victory.
However, the No. 1 doubles match ended up in the Colonials hands as Emma Chapman (Danbury, Conn.) and Carole Allers (Wilton, Conn.) defeated Shelby Jankins (W. Brookfield, Mass.) and Rachel Green (Worcester, Mass.) 8-3 for their seventh overall doubles win.
The Lancers held the 2-1 advantage going into singles play, as they used their momentum and captured the first singles win at No. 4 when Khafaga swept her opponent, Karen Velez (Danbury, Conn.) 6-0, 6-0. "Nathalie's serves and volleys won her fourth spot today," stated Blais.
Though, Western Connecticut responded with a singles win at the No. 1 slot when Chapman downed Jankins 6-3, 6-4 to move the score to 3-2.
Worcester State's Silk and Badeau came back with two straight singles wins to clinch the match. Silk defeated Carine Jacque' (New London, Conn.) 6-1, 6-0 and then Badeau earned her third-career singles win in a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Gabriella Orsini (Watertown, Conn.).
"Lex wore her opponent out by bringing her short and keeping the ball deep," said Blais.
Western Connecticut scored another point as Allers downed her opponent, Taylor, at No. 2 singles 6-4, 6-4. Though, Worcester concluded the match with a win at No. 5 singles as Green defeated Pooja Dudhedia (Brookfield, Conn.) 7-5, 6-1.
"Rachel battled hard past sunset for the last win of the day." mentioned Blais.
The Lancers (6-5, 4-3 LEC) return to action tomorrow as they take on LEC opponent, Rhode Island College in a 5:00 p.m. match on the campus of Clark University. The Colonials (3-7, 0-5 LEC) also resume play then as they travel to Plymouth State for an 11:00 a.m. match.
Singles
- Emma Chapman (WCSU) def. Shelby Jankins (WOR) 6-3, 6-4
- Carole Allers (WCSU) def. Lauren Taylor (WOR) 6-4, 6-4
- Alexis Silk (WOR) def. Carine Jacque (WCSU) 6-1, 6-0
- Nathalie Khafaga (WOR) def. Karen Velez (WCSU) 6-0, 6-0
- Rachel Green (WOR) def. Pooja Dudhedia (WCSU) 7-5, 6-1
- Isabel Badeau (WOR) def. Gabriella Orsini (WCSU) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles
- Emma Chapman/Carole Allers (WCSU) def. Shelby Jankins/Rachel Green (WOR) 8-3
- Lauren Taylor/Alexis Silk (WOR) def. Karen Velez/Clare Callahan (WCSU) 8-0
- Nathalie Khafaga/Isabel Badeau (WOR) def. Carine Jacque/Pooja Dudhedia (WCSU) 8-0
Order of finish: Doubles (2, 3, 1); Singles (4, 1, 3, 6, 2, 5)