Spring Break
Women's tennis scores victory in season opener
Joseph Rea
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Sports
09/18/08 - The University of Rhode Island women's tennis team opened its season with a victory over Fordham on Friday, 6-1.
Head coach Sandy Wood is excited the team was able to get off to a good start.
"It's pretty crucial starting the season with a conference win," Wood said. "There are a lot of new freshmen," he added, emphasizing the pressure that was taken off the new players with the victory.
Three freshmen were slotted in the 1-3 spots in URI's lineup. The lineup featured two seniors, one junior, two sophomores and three freshmen.
Rhody won by the final score of 6-1, winning five out of six singles matches and two out of three doubles matches.
Freshmen Pam Emery and Tristany Leikem were able to win their first matches for URI, 6-1, 6-2, and 6-1, 6-0, respectively. Freshman Kirsten Leikem dropped her match, 6-1, 6-3.
Sophomore Christen Cadigan won her singles match 6-2, 6-2 while neither junior Amanda Barletta nor sophomore Brooke Hoover dropped a game, dominating each of their matches, 6-0, 6-0.
"We have more talent than ever in my time here," Wood said. "I'm really excited about this season."
The Rhode Island doubles teams also found success against the Fordham Rams. Kirsten and Tristany Leikem teamed up to win their match 8-1. Barletta and Emery also won their doubles match 8-0. Seniors Valerie Chacon and Grace Hedstrom lost their very close match, 8-6.
Despite the victory, Wood is still trying to figure out the best formula for the team. He pointed out Rhody is fielding an extremely young and inexperienced team.
"We're still trying to figure out the best way to utilize all the talent," he said.
Wood also cautioned not to get overconfident. "There is definitely room for improvement. Strong play in practice does not always automatically turn into strong play in matches."
URI will look to improve their record to 2-0 when it heads to Smithfield, R.I., for their next match against Bryant University. Wood believes this will be a good opportunity for the team to gain more experience.
"Bryant will be a good match and will give us a battle," he said.
Wood also mentioned the Quinnipiac Invitational, which is taking place this weekend in Hamden, Conn.
"The tournament will give us a chance to play all eight kids," he said. "I think we may surprise people this weekend."
The Invitational will host eight teams, including URI.
Head coach Sandy Wood is excited the team was able to get off to a good start.
"It's pretty crucial starting the season with a conference win," Wood said. "There are a lot of new freshmen," he added, emphasizing the pressure that was taken off the new players with the victory.
Three freshmen were slotted in the 1-3 spots in URI's lineup. The lineup featured two seniors, one junior, two sophomores and three freshmen.
Rhody won by the final score of 6-1, winning five out of six singles matches and two out of three doubles matches.
Freshmen Pam Emery and Tristany Leikem were able to win their first matches for URI, 6-1, 6-2, and 6-1, 6-0, respectively. Freshman Kirsten Leikem dropped her match, 6-1, 6-3.
Sophomore Christen Cadigan won her singles match 6-2, 6-2 while neither junior Amanda Barletta nor sophomore Brooke Hoover dropped a game, dominating each of their matches, 6-0, 6-0.
"We have more talent than ever in my time here," Wood said. "I'm really excited about this season."
The Rhode Island doubles teams also found success against the Fordham Rams. Kirsten and Tristany Leikem teamed up to win their match 8-1. Barletta and Emery also won their doubles match 8-0. Seniors Valerie Chacon and Grace Hedstrom lost their very close match, 8-6.
Despite the victory, Wood is still trying to figure out the best formula for the team. He pointed out Rhody is fielding an extremely young and inexperienced team.
"We're still trying to figure out the best way to utilize all the talent," he said.
Wood also cautioned not to get overconfident. "There is definitely room for improvement. Strong play in practice does not always automatically turn into strong play in matches."
URI will look to improve their record to 2-0 when it heads to Smithfield, R.I., for their next match against Bryant University. Wood believes this will be a good opportunity for the team to gain more experience.
"Bryant will be a good match and will give us a battle," he said.
Wood also mentioned the Quinnipiac Invitational, which is taking place this weekend in Hamden, Conn.
"The tournament will give us a chance to play all eight kids," he said. "I think we may surprise people this weekend."
The Invitational will host eight teams, including URI.
