Boone, N.C. — Appalachian State University women's tennis got its first win of the season Saturday, defeating UNC Asheville 4-3 at Yonahlossee Racquet Club.
The Mountaineers (1-3) needed every single set to push past the Bulldogs (2-1), fighting hard from the beginning in doubles to take the match points.
“I'm really proud of the resilience our team showed today, having so many matches go into third sets. They really never quit and we won because of that,” said head coach Colin Crothers. “We lost to UNC Asheville last year, so it was really good to see us take this one on our home court.”
Doubles duo Megan Mullen and Melissa Machado took the No. 2 spot, 6-1, quickly, but then UNC Asheville's Hannah Francisco and Kylee Shipley took the No. 1, 6-2, over Clare Cox and Heidi Swope.
The No. 3 doubles was a closely contested match, as both duo squads fought back and forth to force a tie. In the end, it would be Mackenzie LaSure and Taylor Bygrave grabbing the 7-5 win and securing the doubles point for App State.
Singles play was next and it only heightened the high level of competition between the two teams as the first three singles matches went to all three sets.
First to finish their lengthy contest was Machado at the No. 3, as she took down Amalie Davidsen, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. LaSure was next at the No. 2, as she had to fight all the way back from a tough 2-6 loss in set one. Refocusing at the break, she came out with the hot racket, taking the next two, 6-2, 6-3, and getting the win.
But it was the showdown at the No. 1 spot that took almost two-and-a-half hours to complete, as neither player refused to give an inch. The first set between Cox and Francisco went all the way to be tied at five points apiece, but UNC Asheville would end up taking the first set, 7-5. Cox stormed back in the second set, winning 6-1 to even the match at 1-1 going into the third. The majority of time was spent in the deciding third set as both players fought to keep ahead in the score. Despite the hard-fought effort, Cox fell 6-4 in the final set, giving the Bulldogs their first point of the day.
The No. 4 singles spot was next to finish as Gabrielle Wreder overcame a close first set to win 7-5, 6-0, giving the Mountaineers match point.
The final two singles positions were played out, however, giving freshman Rebecca Morse a chance to play in her first collegiate match. After falling in the first set, she gave UNC Asheville's Shipley a close contest in the second, but couldn't get enough momentum going, dropping the No. 5 spot, 6-2, 7-5. Brianna Armellino was the final singles match of the day at the No. 6 and it followed suit with the rest, being a back-and-forth affair. Armellino took the first set 6-1, but fell 4-6 and 3-10 in the second and tie-breaking third set, respectively.
The Mountaineers return to action Friday, Feb. 12 as they take on Limestone College in South Carolina. First serve is set for 10 a.m.
