Women's Tennis Doesn't Let Rain Stop Them
HOUSTON – Taking up where they left off a season ago, the St. Mary's Women's Tennis Team won its 2021 season opener 7-0 at St. Thomas.
In a shortened 2020 season, the Rattlers (1-0) were a perfect 3-0 and lost only one match, outscoring opponents 22-1.
The start on Saturday wasn't all smooth sailing though, as they cancelled the first match at Prairie View A&M after several rain delays. Luckily, the Giamalva Racket Club was willing to stay open late so St. Thomas and St. Mary's could compete.
"Today was a day of patience for both teams," Said Head Coach
Bill Macom. "After such a long layoff, they did a great job keeping focused. Each time back on the court, after a rain delay, we got a little better. Fortunately across town, the Giamalva Racket Club was kind enough to stay open late for us to get our match in with St. Thomas."
The afternoon began with three dominating doubles sets as the number three squad of junior
Alice Thane (Elloughton, England) and freshman
Janie Cheverie (Calgary, Alberta) swept Jenny Reynolds and Cali Ard, 8-0. Both the number one team of junior
Ashley Penshorn (Montgomery, Texas) and senior
Maria Garcia (Valencia, Spain) and the two team of senior
Marina Vigil (Gijon, Spain) and Elena Munoz won 8-2.
Penshorn finished her singles match first at the number one ladder, defeating Ana Maria Gonzalez 6-4, 6-1, while Garcia won at number two 6-1, 6-1 over Alyandra Lopez.
At number five singles, Thane defeated Karissa Guzman 6-2, 6-0, while sophomore
Gabi Ioannou (Melbourne, Australia) also dropped only two sets at number four, winning 6-1, 6-1.
Vigil needed a late break in the first set over Alyssa Davila, but lost only one game in the second set for the 7-5, 6-1 win and Cheverie rounded out the sweep with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Ard at number six.
"Everyone did a good job staying ahead in each set and were able to out-steady their opponents," Macom continued. "Even though it was a long day and night, it was a great atmosphere and we are all excited to be back competing again."
The Rattlers return to action next Saturday, facing Howard Payne at 10 a.m. and Schreiner at 1:30 p.m. Both matches will be at Schreiner in Kerrville, Texas.
DOUBLES RESULTS
1.
Ashley Penshorn/
Maria Garcia (StMU) def. Alyandra Lopez/Ana Maria Gonzalez, 8-2
2.
Marina Vigil/Elena Munoz (StMU) def. Alyssa Davila/Karisso Guzman, 8-2
3.
Alice Thane/Janice Cheverie (StMU) def. Jenny Reynolds/Cali Ard, 8-0
Order of Finish: 3,1,2
SINGLES RESULTS
1. Penshorn (StMU) def. Gonzalez, 6-4, 6-1
2. Garcia (StMU) def. Lopez, 6-1, 6-1
3. Vigil (StMU) def. Davila, 7-5, 6-1
4.
Gabi Ioannou (StMU) def. Reynolds, 6-1, 6-1
5. Thane (StMU) def. Guzman, 6-2, 6-0
6. Cheverie (StMU) def. Ard, 6-0, 6-2
Order of Finish: 1,2,5,4,3,6
