Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's tennis team opened up home competition today, hosting Longwood University. This was the first of two home bills of the weekend.
The Spartans came out unusually flat in doubles. "We were low energy and there wasn't a lot of enthusiasm to start play today," stated Head Coach
Paul Thomson. "That was about the only thing I was disappointed with about today's performance."
The Spartans fell quickly on court two in doubles play losing by a score of 2-6.
Luna Urso and
Alexandra Dodashev Enbert played ahead most of their match on court three. But again low energy cost them in the end dropping the set by a score of 6-4.
The bright spot in doubles for the Spartans was on court one. The duo of
Hanna Giddings and
Olivia Gallagher were able to overcome an early deficit and pulled out their match 6-4 for their first win of the spring.
"We have to start faster than we did today," remarked Coach Thomson. "We cannot just step up for teams like Clemson. We have to bring it every time out."
After the break the Spartans were a different team, winning all six singles matches. Although they had to scratch and claw on certain courts, all six singles courts came through.
The first off the court was Alex "Doddie" Dodashev. Alex cruised 6-2 in the first set. "I do not feel like I played my best tennis today," reacted Dodashev. "But I trusted my game and continued to believe in myself and use the things coach and I have been working on." The second set was closer but Dodashev held on to close it out 6-4 for the win.
Luna Urso was the next Spartan to close out her court. She jumped out to a commanding 5-2 lead in the first set. After struggling the next few games she was able to close out the set 6-4. Urso regrouped and rolled in the second set 6-1. "It was exciting to get back home and play in front of a home crowd for the first time," said Urso. "The crowd was great and cheered for everyone. The girls did a great job today as well. This will prepare us for new challenges."
Arina Babkova was the next Spartan to close out her match at number one singles by the score of 7-5, 6-4. Leading by a tally of 3-1, fifth-year senior Giddings sealed the deal for the Spartans. Giddings struggled at times to find her game, but her experience and poise made the difference. Giddings finished off her opponent 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
With the team victory in hand, the last two matches were sophomores, Gallagher and
Raegan Mitchell. Both girls had to grind and scrape to pull out their matches. Mitchell crossed the finish line first by a score of 6-7(4), 6-0, 6-2. "I was proud of Raegan," said coach Thomson. "She started off like a bottle rocket. After her first set got away from her, she found herself and kicked it into another gear."
The last match on was also a nail biter. The fans certainly got their money worth as Gallagher pulled out a third set marathon 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 to finish off the day. "I told the team after the match that I was glad we had to win this way. We didn't play our best tennis today. That's okay because the fight was there. They learned how to win today. That's going to help us down the road," reflected coach Thomson.
The ladies have a quick turnaround as UNC Asheville comes to town tomorrow for a 2:30 p.m. showdown at the Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center.
