By John Niswander
Elm Staff Writer
Last weekend, the Washington College women’s tennis team traveled to Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va. and competed in the Yellow Jacket Invitational Tournament. The tournament, held over two days, is a round-robin format that consists of singles and doubles play among four schools: Randolph-Macon, Virginia Wesleyan, Bridgewater College, and WC.
On Saturday, the Shorewomen played a total of three matches, in three different flights. The first flight was against Randolph Macon in doubles, followed by a flight of singles matches against Bridgewater College, followed by a flight of singles matches against Virginia Wesleyan.
Saturday marked the collegiate debut for three of the Shorewomen’s freshmen. Ella Samer, Sarah Bruno, and Riley Katzman combined on Saturday to go 5-1 in singles play, and 2-0 in doubles.
“It felt validating to get my first collegiate win this weekend. When you see all the hard work you put in as a kid and throughout high school pay off in that moment, it is really exciting,” Samer said.
Saturday also marked the coaching debut at WC for first year Head Coach Oliver Reynolds. Reynolds was pleased with how his team was able to compete.
“The women’s team did a great job of competing today in the close matches and coming out of the gate playing well early. Playing three matches in one day can be a lot in a warm environment so while we finished well at the end of today, it is important to refocus and prepare for another full day of matches tomorrow,” he said.
On Sunday, the Shorewomen played three matches starting with a flight competing against Randolph-Macon in singles, followed by a flight of doubles matches against Bridgewater, and lastly another flight of doubles matches against Virginia Wesleyan.
Combined as a team on the second day, the girls compiled a record of 6-7. All eight women who traveled to compete at the tournament were able to gain vital match experience.
Junior Hayley Sanchez and senior Paige Rebstock competed in three matches each respectively on the weekend, while the other six girls competed in six matches each.
Bruno finished with the best record on the team from the weekend. In her collegiate debut, she compiled an impressive 6-0 record in three singles and three doubles matches.
“It was actually a really cool feeling knowing that I won my first college match. I was really happy with how I played this weekend and it proved that working hard on the off season weeks payed off,” she said.
Senior Krista Filiopolus compiled the next best record from the weekend at 5-1.
“I am really proud of how everyone competed especially because there were a few new doubles teams. A lot of us started off the weekend a little nervous, but we all really shook it off and our best games really came out. Everyone also did a great job dealing with the heat and humidity,” she said.
Senior Kiran Pant and junior Mariah Thomas each finished the weekend with a record of 4-2. Freshmen Samer and Katzman ended the weekend with identical records at 3-3.
The Shorewomen are excited to work hard this off season and continue to support one another to have a successful spring season.
“It was awesome having the support of my team on the courts throughout this weekend as well as being able to spend a ton of time with them off the court which was so much fun. Overall, I feel the team did very well and this spring should be an exciting season,” Bruno said.