Women’s Tennis Sends Message With 7-2 Win Over Goucher
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Moravian College women’s tennis team did not want to dwell on the 2014 Landmark Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll – in which they were picked in a tie for fourth out of seven teams – but when league play kicked off on Saturday against Goucher College, the Greyhounds decided it was time to send a message.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Moravian College women's tennis team did not want to dwell on the 2014 Landmark Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll – in which they were picked in a tie for fourth out of seven teams – but when league play kicked off on Saturday against Goucher College, the Greyhounds decided it was time to send a message.
The Greyhounds defeated the Gophers 7-2 on the Hoffman Courts, winning five of the six singles matches and outlasting Goucher in two tiebreakers. Head coach Dawn Ketterman-Benner did not discuss the preseason poll with her team this spring, but knew her Hounds had something to prove on Saturday.
"We didn't want to make a big deal about it, but the girls knew about the preseason poll," the 28th-year head coach said. "There are a lot of good teams out there, but we consider ourselves to be a strong team in this conference. It was nice to establish ourselves and send a message by getting a big win in the first match of the year."
The Moravian women (9-2, 1-0 Landmark), who shared the Hoffman Courts with the men's team also making their Landmark debut on Saturday, got off to a 2-1 lead after the doubles matches. Senior Katie Zien and freshman Brittney Eady swept their second doubles match 8-0, while the third doubles duo of freshmen Selina Ocasio and Julia Atiyeh erased a 6-4 deficit by winning four straight games for the 8-6 victory.
"That comeback at third doubles was crucial," Ketterman-Benner said. "It gave us a big boost heading into singles matches. Katie was very steady, as usual, Brittney continues to inspire the entire team with her play."
Eady was one of the many victims of up to 20 miles-per-hour wind gusts on Saturday during her closely-contested second singles match. The Moravian rookie battled the elements, and a worthy opponent, to score a 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) win.
Sophomore Courtnie Lambert also had to work overtime to close out her win at sixth singles, outlasting her Gopher foe 11-9 in the second set tiebreaker. That clinched a straight-set win after winning 6-3 in the first.
After 28 years at Moravian, Ketterman-Benner is still thrilled with each and every victory. This win in particular was pleasing to the veteran head coach because the Greyhounds toppled both a tough conference opponent and increasingly difficult weather conditions.
"When you play in weather like this, you have to keep your feet moving, keep your feet close to the ball, and never stop tracking the ball," Ketterman-Benner said. "Especially in doubles, you have to work with your partner to track the ball. You also have to be careful to not over-hit."
Zien rolled at No. 3 singles with a 6-0, 6-2 decision, while senior Erica Venuti was triumphant at fourth singles, 6-3, 6-2.
Ocasio followed up her comeback doubles win with a 7-5, 6-2 defeat of former Landmark Conference Player of the Week award winner Emily Ruff. The reigning conference Player of the Week, Amanda Bercovici, had a hand in both of Goucher's points on Saturday. She defeated junior Melissa Follett at first singles after helping take out Follett and Venuti at first doubles.
"It was a big first conference win," Ketterman-Benner said. "It felt good to beat a good team like Goucher. We were nervous with the weather, but we were really proud with how our girls played. They fought for every point."
The Greyhounds return to the courts on Tuesday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m. with a non-conference dual match at Ursinus College.
