GREENSBORO, N.C. – Juliana Craft had a reason to smile even after dropping a hard-fought match at No. 3 singles. The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) sophomore was proud of her effort and discovered some things that will benefit her moving forward during the 2022 season.
"I played more aggressively than I usually do," said Craft after the Spartans dropped a 5-2 decision to visiting Richmond Sunday afternoon in a non-conference match at the UNCG Tennis Courts. "I have been improving on that and doing more of that where I can put balls away. I was able to volley and come up and compete for sure. This was one of the first matches where I felt like I was in it."
Craft dropped the match 7-5, 7-5. In the second set, Craft took a 5-4 lead. She equaled Richmond's Helene Heiberg stroke for stroke and volley for volley. Craft landed some good shots throughout the tight contest.
It's been a challenging week for the Spartans, who are learning first-year head coach
Paul Thomson, who was coaching his second match in three days. Thomson was hired earlier in the week, so he's forming bonds with the players, observing their games, and remaining positive.
"I am proud of the effort the ladies put in," Thomson said. "It's tough when there is a coaching transition, especially mid-season. They are on their third coach in the last five months. That's hard. I've seen sparks of brilliance and steps forward in the last seven days. We are going to keep working on team, family, and trust while having fun along the way. Things will come together."
UNCG's day started strong when it captured the doubles point behind the No. 1 tandem of
Erika Barquero and
Ariana Chan by a 6-4 score. It was the pair's third victory this season at doubles. The No. 2 doubles tandem of
Hannah Mitchell and
Olivia Gallagher fell in a tough 6-4 match.
Eugenia Camacho battled hard at No. 4 singles in losing a first-set tiebreaker, 7-6. Mitchell fell at No. 5 singles in a three-set heartbreaker, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6.
Despite the two setbacks over the weekend, the Spartans believe better moments are ahead. UNCG hits the road for a pair of matches at Appalachian State on Saturday, Feb. 26, and the University of South Carolina on Sunday, Feb. 27.
"I think we've handled everything pretty much like we're supposed to because we've been through a lot of things," Chan said. "I think we stick together and get the best outcome for the end of the season. This match gave us a lot of confidence. We have been working on doubles a lot and seeing the progress and outcomes have been positive, of course, brings you up. Erika and I are ready for our next matches. We're playing better each time.
"I feel pretty confident. The girls feel confident too with the way we're practicing as well. We are working on many specific things that give confidence to each one of us and also we trust Paul. We have a lot of trust in him and we know he's going to do great with us."
Results
Singles
Emily Dunbar (RI) d.
Erika Barquero, 6-2, 6-2
Carly Cohen (RI) d.
Ariana Chan, 6-1, 6-2
Helene Heiberg (RI) d.
Juliana Craft, 7-5, 7-5
Sara Salemyr (RI) d.
Eugenia Camacho, 7-6, 6-0
Marta Buendia (RI) d.
Olivia Gallagher, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3
Hannah Mitchell (UNCG) won by default, 1-0
Doubles
Barquero and Chan (UNCG) d. Dunbar and Salemyr, 6-4
Cohen and Buendia (RI) d. Mitchell and Gallagher, 6-4
UNCG won No. 3 doubles by default.
