LOUISVILLE, Ky. — WKU Tennis began its 2022 campaign with a 5-2 victory at Bellarmine on Monday afternoon. The Lady Toppers improved to 8-0 all-time against the Knights, including wins in back-to-back seasons.
WKU got off to a quick 1-0 start by winning the doubles point. The No. 1 pair of Paola Cortez and Cora-Lynn von Dungern took a 6-2 decision, then the No. 3 duo of Sofia Blanco and Mariana Zegada clinched the opening point with a 6-4 victory. The Lady Toppers started just where they left off from the 2021 season, when they won 14 doubles points in 21 matches.
After Laura Bernardos began singles play with a 6-4, 6-0 win at the No. 2 spot to give WKU a 2-0 lead, Bellarmine bounced back. The hosts won the next two decisions at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots to knot the score at 2-2.
The bottom of the Lady Toppers' lineup showcased its depth, as the No. 4, 5 and 6 singles results all went to the visitors. Taylor Shaw, Rachel Hermanova and Samantha Martinez all posted straight-set wins to give WKU the 5-2 team win. The freshman Hermanova secured the match-clinching point.
"I thought the team played well. Bellarmine has a much-improved team and we knew going into this match that it wouldn't be easy," head coach Greg Davis said. "Our freshmen – Sofia, Rachel and Mariana – did a great job in their first college match."
The Lady Toppers' next six matches over the next four weeks will be in Bowling Green, starting with a matchup against UT Martin on Sunday, January 23. WKU and the Skyhawks will begin play at 2 p.m.
Final Results
Singles (Order of finish: 2,1,3,4,5,6)
1: Ekaterina Tikhonko (BELL) def. Cora-Lynn von Dungern (WKU) 7-6 (3), 6-4
2: Laura Bernardos (WKU) def. Rose Pastoret (BELL) 6-4, 6-0
3: Madison Devillez (BELL) def. Paola Cortez (WKU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
4: Taylor Shaw (WKU) def. Ashley Jonathan (BELL) 6-2, 6-0
5: Rachel Hermanova (WKU) def. Channing Varnum (BELL) 6-0, 6-1
6: Samantha Martinez (WKU) def. Maja Kozerski (BELL) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles (Order of finish 1,3)
1: Cortez/von Dungern (WKU) def. Devillez/Pastoret (BELL) 6-2
2: Tikhonko/Varnum (BELL) vs. Bernardos/Martinez (WKU) 5-3, unfinished
3: Blanco/Zegada (WKU) def. Jonathan/Kozerski (BELL) 6-4
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