Women's Tennis Opens Season with 6-3 Win over Gwynedd Mercy
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College women’s tennis team began its 2014-15 season at Hoffman Courts Wednesday afternoon with a 6-3 non-conference victory over visiting Gwynedd Mercy University in the women’s coaching debut by Director of Tennis Art Smith ’68.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College women's tennis team began its 2014-15 season at Hoffman Courts Wednesday afternoon with a 6-3 non-conference victory over visiting Gwynedd Mercy University in the women's coaching debut by Director of Tennis Art Smith '68.
Smith, who has been the head coach of the men's program the past three seasons, took over the women's program this summer. "I was nervous before the match started, which I usually don't have before a men's match," commented Smith.
The Greyhounds would put those nerves to rest by sweeping the doubles action for a 3-0 lead. Sophomore Brittney Eady and junior transfer Brijelle Hudock combined for a 9-7 win at first doubles while senior Sophia Osbourne and freshman Skylar Oliwa had an 8-6 victory at second doubles and junior Courtnie Lambert and freshman Caitlin Adams posted an 8-4 triumph at third doubles.
"I was impressed by Brittney and Brijelle at first doubles today," stated Smith. "They were down 6-3 and fought back to win six of the next seven games to earn the victory. It was a good start to the season for everyone."
Moravian would take three of the singles contests in straight sets to earn the season-opening win. Eady, the 2014 Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year, had a 6-1, 6-2 win at first singles while Hudock won her first single contest with the Hounds, 6-3, 6-1 at second singles. Lambert posted a 6-1, 6-1 victory at fourth singles for the Greyhounds, who nearly earned another point as Osbourne forced a third set at third singles before dropping her match in a super tiebreaker.
The Hounds will return to action this weekend, September 20 and 21 at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southeast Regional Tournament being hosted by The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
