Dominate: it’s not a word heard too often in the world of sports. Most of the time, games or matches are decided by small margins with the outcome being in question at some point in the proceedings. Last Wednesday against Smith College, the Wesleyan women’s tennis team dominated.
At no point in any of the matches was there an ounce of competitive fight from the Smith players. Every Wesleyan player was on cruise control and not once, in any match, was one set conceded. It was an effort that every single member of the team could be proud of, knowing that they contributed to the demolition of another team.
“The teamed played great against Smith,” said co-captain Sarah Colao ’04. “Everyone just got down to business and did what they needed to do to win.”
Smith College could amount no pressure against the Wesleyan singles. Co-captain Dina Guth ’04 led by example as she vanquished her opponent 6-2, 7-6. Following suit were Tiffany Lo ’05 and Ashley Brick ’05. Both breezed through the competition with 6-1, 6-1 and 6-0, 6-1 scores respectively. Not to be outdone by her fellow captain, Colao had an easy time notching up another victory for Wesleyan, this time the score being 6-1, 6-1. Susannah Ragab ’06 and Victoria Santoro ’07 might as well have been matched up against air, seeing as it might have been able to put forth more challenging matches. Both women had 8-0 victories.
The team was just as ruthless in the doubles portion of the match. The top two doubles teams, Guth/Brick and Colao/Lo, added 8-4 victories to the Wesleyan scoreboard. Ragab and Santoro did not lose a game all day, as they combined tennis forces to crush Smith’s duo 8-0.
“Despite our loss to Tufts, many of us played well individually which gave us some confidence going into the Smith match,” said Brick. “We very unexpectedly lost to Smith last year, which fueled some extra desire to win this year. All three doubles teams won which had us up 3-0 before singles started meaning that only two singles matches had to be won for the team win. However everyone stayed focused and played well and Smith had a hard time hanging with us.”
“Overall the team is feeling really good,” Colao said. “The team is made up of a great group of ladies who get along really well, so whether we win or lose we will still have a blast. But our goal is to win and we have that fight in us all.”
The win leaves the women with at overall record of 7-8. That record is not indicative of the “on fire” nature of the team’s play this spring, as they are an impressive 6-1. The next team in the Cardinal’s crosshairs is Wellesley College. That match will be Wesleyan’s last chance to hone their skills before the NESCAC tournament kicks off, so a performance not unlike the one put forth this week will be expected.
“The win makes our spring record 6-1, which is awesome, and it gives us the confidence and excitement that we need this Saturday at the Wellesley invitational,” Colao said. “Last year we beat Wellesley 5-4, and its possible that it will be another close match this year – so Smith has really pumped us up.”
At this point in time, it looks like nothing can slow down the women.
Leave a Reply