University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
William & Mary
Spiders Drop Opener at William & Mary, 6-1
01/21/2017 | Women's Tennis
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The University of Richmond women's tennis team opened the 2017 spring season on Saturday afternoon, traveling to Williamsburg to take on in-state rival William & Mary.
Despite a great effort by the young team, the Spiders fell to the Tribe, 6-1.
"I hate losing, but this team showed so much promise today that I can't help but be optimistic about what they can accomplish," Head Coach Mark Wesselink said. "W&M is an established, dominant program, but even they could see what a talented group we are."
William & Mary won the doubles point to take a 1-0 match lead, and managed to take five of the six singles matches to open their spring season with a win.
Freshman Lea Owens earned the Spiders' point with a 6-3, 6-2 win in the No. 5 singles spot.
"Our two freshman were as good as we thought," Wesselink added. "Lea took down their five player convincingly in straight sets, and Kiana Marshall was points away from turning around her loss at the No. 2 spot ,7-5, 6-3."
The Spiders, who boast a wealth of young talent, have a long season ahead and will look to bounce back after the loss.
"The most encouraging aspect of our performance was the positive team energy," Wesselink said of the team. "We are all so close in ability that our training and depth are just going to get stronger."
Richmond returns to action on Saturday, January 26 when it hosts Navy at the Country Club of Virginia. Match time is set for 4:00 pm.
William & Mary 6, Richmond 1
Singles
1) Marie Faure (W&M) def. Gaby Rosales (Richmond) – 6-0, 6-3
2) Ekaterina Stepanova (W&M) def. Kiana Marshall (Richmond) – 7-5, 6-3
3) Lauren Goodman (W&M) def. Brittany Boys (Richmond) – 6-2, 6-2
4) Olivia Thaler (W&M) def. Ana Ramirez (Richmond) – 6-1, 6-2
5) Lea Owens (Richmond) def. Rosie Cheng (W&M) – 6-3, 6-2
6) Natalia Perry (W&M) def. Kelsey Williams (Richmond) – 7-5, 6-2
Finishing Order: 4, 3, 5, 1*, 6, 2
Doubles
1) Faure/Goodman (W&M) def. Boys/Rosales (Richmond) – 6-0
2) Cheng/Thaler (W&M) def. Marshall/Owens (Richmond) – 6-1
3) Madson/Stepanova (W&M) def. Giffenig/Ramirez (Richmond) – 6-4
Finishing Order: 1, 2*, 3
Players Mentioned
