SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's tennis team split their home opener at the Mabry Tennis Center on Saturday. They dropped the first match of the day against Air Force 6-0, but came back to earn their first win of the season, 5-2 against Trinity University.
In the morning fixture, the Falcons came out strong in the doubles competition and earned the first point of the day after Lily Forlini and Mary Meyers defeated
Sarah Savedra and
Taryn Strahl, 6-2 at the #2 position. Carley Hatcliff and Chloe Forlini defeated
Malisa Vatanadilok and
Antea Dedic, 6-3 at #3.
The Cardinals (1-5) were unable to get a point back in the singles competition and dropped all six singles games in straight sets.
After a short break, the team was back in action later in the afternoon and played host to local rival Trinity University. UIW rallied to turn things around for their second match and started by taking the doubles point.
The #1 duo of
Rachel Sadiq and
Matea Zemunik defeated Liza Southwick and Marie Lutz, 6-4 and at #2
Sarah Savedra and
Maria Batchinsky won 6-3 against Cheyenne Duncan and Blaire Porter.
In singles, UIW fought hard to get the three points they needed and went on to win four out of the six matches. Savedra and Batchinsky won in straight sets at #3 and #6.
For the Tigers, Lutz and Porter won their matches at #2 and #4 singles, putting the Cardinals ahead by only one point. Left to either Sadiq or Dedic, the match was decided after Dedic won 1-6, 6-0, 6-2 against Caroline White. Sadiq went on to defeat Southwick in a close 5-7, 6-3, 10-7 victory.
Coach
Devin Wilke said, "I am really proud of this team, the way they have battled all year. To start the year with the difficult road schedule that we had, the results didn't always match the effort and work they put in. I am glad to see them trust the process and get this well-deserved win."
The Cardinals are back in action next weekend and stay in San Antonio to play St. Mary's University at the Rohrbach Stadium on Friday at 12 p.m.
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