HOLDEN, Mass. – After falling behind 4-1 mid-way through singles play, the Worcester State University women's tennis team ignited a comeback and took their first-ever match against UMass Dartmouth, 5-4, as senior Alexis Silk (Greenfield, Mass.) secured the match point at the No. 3 singles flight.
THE BASICS
September 22, 2017
Wachusett Regional High School Courts
Score: Worcester State 5, UMass Dartmouth 4
Records: Worcester State (4-1, 1-1 LEC) | UMass Dartmouth (4-2, 2-1 LEC)
THE MATCH
Despite Worcester State taking the first doubles win at the No. 3 spot, UMass Dartmouth came away with a 2-1 lead after doubles play as the No. 1 and No. 2 flights defeated their opponents by a set scores of 8-5 each. UMass Dartmouth's duos of Jenna Lahaie (Lakeville, Mass.)/Jamie Fastonio (Rehoboth, Mass.) and Mollie McCaffrey (Taunton, Mass.)/Jillian Reichart (Marion, Mass.) earned the two doubles wins, while Worcester State's Silk and Dominique Alves (Ludlow, Mass.) defeated Kerry Magoon (Marshfield, Mass.) and Samantha Rollings (Tiverton, R.I.) 8-3 at the No. 3 slot.
UMass Dartmouth extended their lead to 3-1 on a win at No. 6 win as Molina Oung (Bourne, Mass.) downed Monika Mularski (Auburn, Mass.) 6-1, 6-3. Following a rain delay and relocation to the Paxton courts, Lahaie began with a win over Taylor 6-4, 6-3 at the No. 1 flight to extend the lead to 4-1. Nevertheless, Worcester State took a turn and knotted the score at 4-4 following singles wins from Alves, Rachel Green (Worcester, Mass.), and Nathalie Khafaga (Auburn, Mass.), leaving the game decision at the No. 3 singles contest of Silk and UMass Dartmouth's McCaffrey. Silk secured a 6-2, 6-3 win over McCaffrey to complete Worcester State's comeback, as the Lancers handled the Corsairs 4-2 at singles play for the win.
COACHES CORNER
"The doubles matches of the afternoon were evenly matched this afternoon," commented head coach Courteney Blais. "One and two had a tough time closing in the net to finish out the points. However, Lex and Dominque made their debut as a doubles team and set each other up beautifully with keeping the ball deep and their volleys strategically placed."
Coach Blais commented on Silk's game-winning match, "She quickly won the first set and powered through the second set with her never give up attitude and steady strokes."
Overall, Blais is proud of the heart and grits her girls displayed in tonight's first-ever win against UMass Dartmouth in program history.
UP NEXT
The Lancers are back in action tomorrow (Sep. 22) as they travel to UMass Boston for another Little East Conference match, while the Corsairs break until Tuesday (Sep. 26) when they host Bridgewater State at 3 p.m.
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