HILTON HEAD, SC - After a last minute schedule change, the Principia Women's Tennis team played their third and final match on Friday afternoon against Lancaster Bible College from Pennsylvania. The Panthers dominated the play and won every match for their first 9-0 victory of the season!
The top three singles players and top two doubles teams did not give up a single game against Lancaster.
Veronica Volkart, #4 singles, completed the first set without giving up a game. After going down 2-0 in the second set, she took the next six games with her strong ground strokes that set up opportunities to close out the points at the net. After a loss on Thursday, the Principia #3 doubles team got back on the winning side with a 8-3 decision.
The Panther's most exciting and close matches of the day came from our #5 and #6 singles players.
Caroline Carlson had a comeback win at #5 after dropping the first set 6-2. She turned her game around and played steady tennis and moved her opponent around the court. Carlson won the second set 6-2 and carried her momentum into the third set tiebreaker,which she won 10-4.
Ruth Hummell also had a great match at #6 playing steady tennis and coming to the net when play dictated. She broke serve late in the first set to force a tiebreaker in which she only gave up one point. In the second set, both players were consistent and kept the match close until Hummell broke serve and then held for a 6-4 win.
FULL MATCH RESULTS
Head coach
Shannon Carney commented afterwards, "I was proud of all the players today as they played their best tennis of the week. I was especially pleased to see Caroline fight back to win her match. It was great to see her execute the shots that we have been working on in practice."
The Panthers had a wonderful week on Hilton Head Island! Spring break provides a great opportunity for the team to get a lot of matches in and be able to practice outside. Aside from going 2-1 in their matches, the women enjoyed riding bikes to the beach and local shops and relaxing in the hot tub.
Up Next: The team will now return home to train on campus the next couple weeks as they prepare for conference play that begins on April 14. The Panthers will play three non-conference matches before then, and their next match will be at home against McKendree University on Friday, April 1.
