Firebirds Defeat Shepherd, 7-2; Improve to 2-0
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV – The University of the District of Columbia women's tennis team improved to 2-0 with a 7-2 victory over non-region foe, Shepherd University on Tuesday, September 9th.
The Firebirds won two of three doubles matches and five of six singles matches with No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles being forfeited due to an insufficient UDC lineup.
After forfeiting third doubles, junior Peerada Looareesuwan (Computer Science – Bangkok, Thailand/Valdosta State) teamed with reigning East Coast Conference Rookie of the Week Laura Dimante (Business Management – Riga, Latvia/Rigas Teikas) for an 8-2 victory at No. 2 doubles. Senior Maxime Duijst (Biology – Valkenswaard, Netherlands/Pleincollege Sint Joris) and junior Laura Rojas (Civil Engineering – Bogota, Columbia/Jackson State) earned a second Firebirds doubles victory, defeating Katelyn Mumaw and Molly Lovern, 8-4 at No. 1.
UDC ceded another point at No. 6 singles for an insufficient lineup which tied the score, 2-2, but the Firebirds went on to win all five singles matches they played. First was senior Alicia Gallard (Business Management – Blaison-Gohier, France/Shorter University) downing Brooke Davis, 6-0, 6-2 at No. 5, followed by Dimante's 6-1, 6-1 victory over Stacy Brewbaker at No. 3. Duijst, the three-time Second Team All-ECC selection and team captain, then clinched the match victory with a straight set victory over Mumaw at No. 1 singles.
Looareesuwan and Rojas each won their singles match at No. 2 and 4, respectively, to finish the day. Looareesuwan put Lovern away in straight sets and Rojas beat D'Alauro, 6-0, 6-2.
Next up, the Firebirds will return to its league schedule as they take on the twice-reigning ECC Champion, NYIT in their season home opener on September 12th at 3 p.m.