GREENSBORO, N.C. - The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's tennis program wrapped up the 2022 fall campaign this weekend at the Liberty Team Duals.
"I think everyone on the team is spent right now," state Head Coach
Paul Thomson. "Fall has been quite the grind. Growth is a difficult thing to see sometimes, especially in a sport like tennis where your only visible measure is a win or a loss. The entire staff from the coaches to strength and conditioning to sports psych has watched them all grow."
The Liberty Duals featured very tough competition. The ladies faced off against Liberty, Marshall, William & Mary, and Richmond. The ladies found wins on the singles and doubles courts. On Saturday, the ladies took victories against William & Mary as
Juliana Craft and
Luna Urso won 7-5 and the team of
McCollough Perry and
Alexandra Dodashev Enbert rolled to a 6-0 victory. The pairs of
Hanna Giddings and
Olivia Gallagher,
Raegan Mitchell and
Arina Babkova, and Olexa and
Claudia Murdasanu, came up just short of wins as well. All dropping their matches 5-7, 6-7, 5-7, respectively.
"We worked really hard this fall," said sophomore Mitchell. "I feel like we left everything on the court and our efforts are going to show during the spring. Our team has so much potential, and we have so much more to achieve this spring."
The competition was just as close in singles. Babkova, Urso and Craft all dropped tough three-set matches. Freshman Murdasanu cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win in her first match back in more than six weeks. During the Saturday afternoon session, the duo of Giddings and Gallagher shined with a 6-1 victory over Richmond.
Sunday's results were highlighted with stellar play in doubles by Babkova and Mitchell. Even dropping their match 5-7 to the number two team from Liberty, the pair displayed some of the highest level of play this fall. In singles, Mitchell and Urso shined, winning their singles matches. Urso notched a convincing 6-2, 6-1 win. Mitchell was equally impressive, winning 6-0, 6-1.
The Spartans did in fact have their share of success on the courts this fall competing against some of the best competition in the NCAA. The Spartan doubles was an exceptional bright spot. All five of the teams had multiple wins this fall. Mitchell and Babkova won their doubles flight at the UNCG Spartan Duals which was a big highlight for the duo. "Our doubles play is so much stronger than last spring and even when we started this fall," reflected Thomson. "It could certainly be a difference maker for us next spring.
The next two weeks the team will continue with strength and conditioning by finishing with their individual strength max tests. After the Thanksgiving break it will be straight into exams and then home for the winter break. "I am so happy that we finished our fall season with success," said sophomore Urso. "We worked really hard and with a little break we will recharge our batteries for the spring. I am so excited to compete and leave my heart on the court. Spring will be big for us and we are looking forward to competing to win the conference!"
