The Massachusetts tennis team (2-0) dominated Rhode Island last Wednesday, 6-1, winning all three doubles matches and five of six singles.
“I’m very proud of them,” UMass coach Judy Dixon said. “I think we’re finally winter-ready.”
With doubles play remaining a big question heading into the match, senior Candynce Boney and sophomore Julia Comas set the tone early, winning 8-5.
“Our seniors definitely stepped up and brought in a ton of energy early on,” Dixon said. “They know how important these matches are, because they set us up for the future.”
Other doubles teams in senior Tanisha Hodgson and freshman Jessica Podlofsky (8-6) and Kaitlyn Carpenter and Jocelyn Providence (8-0), won their doubles matches convincingly. Dixon believes that her players are starting to finally come together and that her younger players are learning how to play UMass tennis.
“I think Jocelyn’s been huge for us, playing consistent and the way she needs to play to help the team,” Dixon said. “Jess has come in as a freshman and really provided us with that depth needed to beat teams like Rhode Island.”
With freshman Yuliana Motyl out again with illness, everyone moved up a spot in the lineup, meaning Comas once again competed at the No.1, but lost to the Ram’s Pam Emery in straight sets, 6-2; 6-2.
“[Julia]’s had to step in this season and compete at the No. 1 for us which is always tough when you have other players out,” Dixon said. “She works hard, and when called upon, she gives us the best effort she possibly can, and I appreciate that as a coach.”
The rest of the team came away victorious in singles, with only one match coming close. Freshman Clara Matias again was pushed to the limit, as she was against Fordham the match before. After going into a tiebreaker, Matias took the first set, 7-6, then the next set at the same score.
“She played another close match,” Dixon said. “She’s really young, but is showing a lot of grit, standing tall and not backing down.”
Boney competed at the No.2 and won in straight sets, 6-2; 6-2, providing the spark near the top.
The bottom half of the lineup produced encouraging results, playing to Dixon’s philosophy of winning from the bottom-up.
“In college tennis, you have to work from bottom to the top to be successful, in terms of winning from your number six, to your number one,” Dixon said. “Most teams aren’t as successful in playing this way, but we’re lucky that we have a lot of depth, allowing us to work that way.”
Carpenter won with ease, 6-0; 6-2, at the No.4. Podlofsky and Providence, competing at the number’s five and six cruised to their own victories, winning, 6-0; 6-0, and 6-0; 6-2.
Dixon always looks to improve, but believes that she finally has her set double combinations for the rest of the season, hoping that the energy and leadership continues to set early tones in upcoming matches.
“It’s really important to come out strong every time,” Dixon said. “Our seniors really provided what we needed early on…I feel like we’re winter-ready, our combos are set … With just over three weeks left of the fall season, this is where we fine tune our skills, and I think we’re starting to live up to our potential.”
Scott Cournoyer can be reached at [email protected].
