The Geneseo women’s tennis team traveled to New York City and split its two matches on April 14 and 15.
The Knights took on New York University at Gotham Stadium on Saturday April 14 and won the match 9-0, although NYU defaulted three matches. Seniors Julia Passik and Monica Vieth were paired for the No. 1 doubles match and won 8-0, while seniors Reggie Connelly and Katie Gayvert won their doubles match 8-4.
“Maturity came into play [since] all four players were seniors,” said head coach Jim Chen. “We were aggressive and dominated the play in our doubles matches.”
The singles matches were much of the same story for the Knights. Vieth won 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 1 singles match and freshman Dexuan Yuan won the No. 2 singles match 6-0, 6-1.
Passik was scheduled to play the No. 3 singles match, but a twisted ankle in her doubles win prevented her from continuing. Instead, freshman Amanda Rosati took her place and won 6-3, 6-1. Coach Chen said he was proud of how she was able to step in under the circumstances.
“[Rosati] played OK in the first set, but quickly gained confidence, got the player on the ropes and went for it in the second set.”
Junior Sarah Shields took the final match 6-2, 6-0.
On Sunday April 15, Geneseo was set to play Hamilton College, but the Continentals were unable to make it to New York City. Instead, Geneseo matched up against ASA College, a team primarily comprised of international players, many of whom may earn Division I scholarships next year.
The teams played three doubles matches and five singles matches. Geneseo fell 8-1, with ASA defaulting one match. Despite the score, Chen said that he was satisfied with his team’s performance.
“They played good against very good competition. They all enjoyed the experience of playing against top players,” he said.
He specifically pointed out junior Katie Talbot who won her first set 6-4, lost the second set in a tiebreak 7-6 and lost the deciding third set 10-7.
“[Talbot] played the game of her life,” Chen said. “She was phenomenal. We considered her a winner even though the score didn’t say so.”
Geneseo will host SUNY Cortland on Wednesday April 25 before the NCAA Division III tournament.
“The team has hit their stride, approaching the form we need to get to for NCAAs,” Chen said.
The Knights are 13-2 for the season and are set for a high seed in the postseason.
Editor’s Note:
William Smith College extended their all-time winning streak against Geneseo with a 5-4 victory on Wednesday April 18.
Junior Katie Talbot won third doubles, as well as fifth singles to lead Geneseo. The Knights fall to 13-3 overall.