Tennis Takes to the Road for Two Dual Matches

By Brian Kuppelweiser for WVUsports.com
February 01, 2013 10:40 AM

Emily Mathis

Dale Sparks/All-Pro Photography

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Carrying the momentum of a win against in-state rival Marshall, the West Virginia University women’s tennis team travels to New York this weekend to take on Syracuse on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m., and Buffalo on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 11:30 a.m.

The Orange sport a 1-5 record this season, while the Bulls are 2-0.

“Our win against Marshall was big for our confidence - there is no doubt about that,” says coach Tina Samara. “However, we have to turn our focus to our opponents this weekend. Syracuse’s record is deceiving. They have played four highly ranked teams this season, and they finished last season in the top 75. If we are going to earn two victories this weekend, it will surely take a better effort than we had last Saturday.”

In last weekend’s win against the Thundering Herd, WVU (1-1) got off to a hot start, as it earned the doubles point. Winning doubles combos for the Mountaineers were Ikttesh Chahal and Hailey Barrett and Audrey Wooland and Emily Mathis.

In singles play, WVU got wins from Mathis, Chahal and Barrett. The win for Barrett was significant in that she moved from the No. 3 to the No. 2 singles spot in her second collegiate dual match and maintained her perfect 2-0 record in singles play.

“Hailey really played with a great mindset in her matches on Saturday,” Samara says. “In the first match against Ohio State, I think Hailey, along with her teammates, had some nerves. Against Marshall and even later in the match against Ohio State, we began to see a change. There was more composure and focus.”

Saturday’s matchup against Syracuse, which is being played at the Drumlins Tennis Center, is the 18th matchup in the history of the two programs. The Orange hold a 15-2 advantage over the Mountaineers.

As for Sunday’s match against Buffalo, it will be the first meeting between two programs. The match will be held Miller Tennis Center.

A recap of each day’s action will be available on WVUsports.com following the completion of competition.

Tags
WVU Women's Tennis, Big 12 Women's Tennis, NCAA Women's Tennis