RIVERSIDE, Calif.— After a competitive opening weekend on the road for the UC Riverside Women's Tennis Team, the Highlanders returned home Friday afternoon poised to defend their courts in their home opener. The team would do that and more earning its first win of the season in sweeping fashion defeating Hope International 7-0.
"Today is a good day for us. Getting into the season and getting a win for the freshmen will really help them settle in and gain some confidence," Head Coach Mark Henry said. "I thought we did really well in doubles, which gave us a strong start, and it was great to see some of them use the skills we've been working on in practice."
The match began with two doubles matchups and the Highlanders wasted no time collecting six straight games on both courts to sweep the round. The duo of senior Tracy Van and freshman Lindsey Gelinas were the first off defeating the Royal team of Lauren Macdonell and Kristen Russo 6-0 on court two. The undefeated pair of sophomore Tia Elpusan and junior Sara Khattab added its third straight win of the season on court one topping Jessica Ulloa and Matea Ancheta 6-0.
Up 1-0, UCR headed into singles play placing freshmen at the top four spots. The rookies would come through as the Highlanders won all five singles bouts in straight sets and only forfeited a combined six games.
Junior Lauren Wolfe was the first one off the courts with a perfect 6-0, 6-0 triumph over Kayla Jensen for her first win of the season.
"I knew this was a match that Lauren would handle well so I was confident putting her in the singles lineup," Henry said. "She played a great match and did exactly what I knew she could do."
Three freshmen earned their first collegiate singles victories (dual match play) as Gelinas took a 6-1, 6-1 win on court one, and Natalie Shamma and Hanh Pham followed at three and four with 6-0, 6-2 and 6-1, 6-1 wins, respectively.
Freshman Mahli Silpachai improved to 2-1 in singles on the season sweeping Ulloa 6-0, 6-0 on court two.
The five singles wins and a forfeit on court six by the Royals would give UCR a 7-0 performance in its first win.
"It was good to see us respond after a couple of tough matches last weekend, but that is exactly what those matches are good for," Henry said. "We have another tough team tomorrow and I know we will be ready."
UC Riverside will look for its second straight win tomorrow as the Highlanders host San Jose State.
