Women’s tennis picked up back-to-back victories for the first time this season against Walsh and then Hillsdale.
FEB. 18: Bulldogs squeak past Cavaliers
It was a hard-fought victory for the Bulldogs on Friday night against Walsh as they came out with the win 4-3 in the regional matchup.
The Bulldogs got off to a rough start in doubles competition as they dropped two out of three games. Parker Nolan and Agata Klak won their doubles matchup in the Bulldog’s sole win in doubles competition with a 6-2 victory.
It was a very good day in singles competition for the Bulldogs with four wins to secure the victory. Sophie Daavettila and Nolan both won their matches in two sets. Agata Klak and Patricia Gomez both had hard fought victories in 3 sets.
A great performance by Gomez led to the win for the Bulldogs as she won her match to seal the victory.
“I feel amazing,” Gomez said in regard to her game winning match. “It was a great feeling winning the last point for the team. I could not have done it without the support of my team of course.”
It was a great win for the Bulldogs on Friday to help capture momentum going forward and to give them confidence after tough back-to-back losses the weekend before. This is especially important as GLIAC play begins March 19.
“It was big to get win over a regional opponent,” Doren said. “Overall, its huge just for the confidence going forward we schedule these just for regional rankings but really it’s just practice to get ready for the GLIACs that start in a month in a half and that’s what’s going to be most important.”
FEB. 20: Ferris fights off Hillsdale
After a day of rest, the Bulldogs took to the court again Sunday for a dual match against the Hillsdale Chargers. Ferris rode the momentum and pick up their second win of the weekend by a final of 5-2.
Ferris began the day with two crucial victories in doubles play to take the match’s first point. The opening match consisted of a 6-4 win for Daavettila & Sam Stephenson, followed by a 6-2 setback in the battle of twos. The deciding third matchup went a 10-point shootout, ultimately falling in Ferris’ favor for Gomez and Brittany Lavenant.
“Friday was our first time losing the doubles point in 18 consecutive matches,” Klak said. “Going into Sunday, we knew it was important keeping the energy high and having a short-term memory when mistakes were made.”
In the following singles matches, the Bulldogs rode the doubles momentum into a pair of two set victories for Daavettila (6-1, 6-2) and Klak (6-3, 6-4). The next four matches would require three sets to settle the scores.
While the Chargers would take the third matchup, Lavenant sealed the Bulldog victory in game four with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 comeback win. Gomez would later add an insurance victory in three-sets, giving the Bulldogs their third victory on the season.
“It feels great,” Doren said on the weekend victories. “I think following last weekend losses against other GMAC teams, we thought it was pretty imperative for regional rankings in the future to get two wins against different GMAC opponents.”
Ferris has started off the season hot inside the Racquet Center, winning their first three home matches of the 2022 campaign. While the Bulldogs have started slow on the road, Doren believes the team’s upcoming trip to Orlando will bring a helpful experience playing outdoors.
“Outdoor tennis is a lot slower,” Doren said. “We’re used to faster courts and faster points (indoors). We are going down there to play some of the best teams in the country and get some outdoor matches in.”
Ferris tennis will return home in 24 days to take on rival Grand Valley State in the March 19 conference opener. To follow the Bulldogs, visit the “Women’s Tennis” tab at www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com.
Sports reporter Jeffery Walker contributed to this article.
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