The Tech women’s tennis team earned its first win in a match against the University of Arkansas-Little Rock by a 4-3 score on Feb. 7. The Golden Eagles evened their record at 1-1 with the win at Fairfield Glade in Crossville, TN. A late match tie-breaking win by sophomore Diana Woodcock preserved the win despite her recent injury.
“When Diana got to 6-6, I just had a feeling that she was going to close it out in the breaker,” Coach Dan Silverstein said. “She has worked hard through her injury and is getting better every day.”
Although Woodcock’s late match 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) effort over UALR’s Nathalia Garay guaranteed the win, Tech’s improved doubles play won the first point. Sophomores Kelly Holtzhausen and Katie Barnhill won at number one, while Woodcock and Joanna Corkern prevailed at the number three position.
“I believe we won the doubles point because we were a bit more aggressive at net than we were against Middle Tennessee,” Silverstein said. “Joanna and Diana attacked the ball and took over the net at number three doubles.”
UALR fought back with three singles victories. At the number one position, Trojan Anne Weijenborg defeated Barnhill 6-3, 6-4.
UALR’s Rebecca Van Den Houte topped freshman Laura Porras 6-1, 6-2 at number four. The final Trojan point came from Fanny Lopez as she outlasted freshman Alena Krutkina 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.
Holtzhausen won over Trojan Marta Gomez-Jordana 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, in the number two spot. At number three, freshman Tatiana Denezhkina topped UALR’s Chantel Coolen 7-5, 6-4.
“This is such a young team that this win will finally tell these girls we can compete with everyone on our schedule,” Silverstein said. “We have been preaching consistency and aggressive play.”
“This is a team win, one through six,” Silverstein added.
The next Golden Eagle match is Feb. 15 against Arkansas State at Fairfield Glade.
