By Joyce Novacek
Writer
The women’s tennis team competed in Orlando, Florida over spring break, led by Lauren Lucido ’11 who now has the second most singles victories in Bison history. The Bison defeated South Dakota State (6-1) and Marist (6-1) but lost to North Dakota (6-1) and Drake (4-3). On Tuesday, they defeated Mount St. Mary’s (6-1) at home. The Bison now have a spring season record of 5-8.
“The week in Orlando was an overall positive training trip for the team as we began our outdoor match play,” Lauren Rottkamp ’11 said. “In each match, we worked on getting acclimated to the outdoor conditions. This trip allowed us to put to use all of the hard work and drills we had practiced during the indoor winter season. ”
By the end of spring break, Lauren Lucido ’11 had advanced to second all-time for singles victories. Currently, her singles record over her four years of playing is 80-35. The only Bison ever to earn more singles wins than Lucido is Tanya Sichko, who earned a record of 86-40 between 2001 and 2005.
After the home win against Mount St. Mary’s, where Lucido and Courtney Casey ’12 won at first doubles, Lucido has also reached second place for all-time combined wins, with a career record of 156-69.
The Orange and Blue dominated South Dakota State. In singles play, Lucido, Dumitrita Iepuras ’12, Rottkamp and Casey all earned straight-set victories. With this win, Rottkamp earned her 50th combined win in her career.
To earn the victory against Marist, the Bison swept doubles play, with Lucido and Casey winning first doubles, Daria Tuzhikova ’13 and Iepuras winning second doubles, and Dara Dwojewski ’11 and Elena Vidrascu ’14 winning third doubles.
“I believe that we did very well in Orlando given the fact that it was our first time playing tennis outside this year,” Iepuras said.
Although Lucido was the only Bison to earn a singles win against North Dakota, Iepuras and Dwojewski went to three sets. Against Drake, the Bison had more success in singles, with Lucido, Vidrascu and Dwojewski each winning, but it was not enough for the Bison to defeat the Bulldogs.
“Each match improved our confidence, physical strength, and mental toughness, which will help us succeed in the upcoming Patriot League play,” Rottkamp said.
The Orange and Blue will look to earn a pair of victories over the weekend when they travel to compete against George Mason tomorrow and open Patriot League play up with Navy on Sunday.
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