Season openers don’t necessarily indicate how the rest of the season will unfold, which is good news for the Massachusetts women’s tennis team. Despite coming away with a win, UMass coach Judy Dixon was noticeably displeased with her team’s performance during its 4-3 win over Connecticut.
The Minutewomen dropped two of their three doubles matches to the Huskies, with UMass’ top team of Yuliana Motyl and Julia Comas falling to their counterparts 5-8, and Sonia Bokhari and Jocelyn Providence dropping their match, 7-9. The Minutewomen’s third team, comprised of Jessica Podlofsky and Chanel Glasper, made quick work in their match, winning, 8-2.
“In most places we handled the win okay,” said Dixon. “Doubles was appalling. I had a few words with them [between doubles and singles]. We have work to do, there’s no doubt about that. Sure, we’re missing our one of our doubles players [in Chantal Swiscsz], but that’s no reason, no excuse.”
The Minutewomen turned it around, however, in singles play.
On what was an especially windy day at the Mullins Courts, UMass’ top-seeded Yuliana Motyl fell to Jen Learmonth 3-6, 2-6. The sophomore’s frustration was noticeable, and Dixon attributes those emotions to the wind factor.
“Yuliana is slight. She’s not big, and the wind is difficult,” said Dixon. “In the windy games you need to be more physical, and Yuliana has a tough time in the wind, a tough time with the big hitters. Yuliana needs to be stronger, and after November we’ll get her in the weight room, and get her stronger.”
In the other singles matches, No. 3 Julia Comas quickly picked up a point against Maxie Weinberg, winning 6-1, 6-0. No. 4 Jessica Podlofsky also won, defeating Marie Gargiulo 6-2, 6-1, and freshman No. 5 Chanel Glasper took care of Lauren Wilmarth 6-2, 6-2. No. 6 Jocelyn Providence fell to Lucy Nutting, which set the match at 3-3 between the two schools. The match-winner would come from the result of the No. 2 match between Sonia Bokhari and Alexa Gregory.
“I felt all along the match was on Sonia’s racket, in the No. 2 match,” said Dixon.
Sonia cruised to a 6-1 victory in the first set. The second set, though, would not go as smoothly.
Alexa Gregory opened the second with a game in her favor, and the two opposing players traded games until Sonia was on the brink of defeat at 4-5. Following a strong comeback to put the match at 6-6, Sonia came out on top of the tiebreak game, winning the Minutewomen’s season-opening match.
“It was a good effort, on a bad element day,” said Dixon. “It’s always exciting to get a win over UConn.”
Despite that excitement, Dixon wasn’t ready to shell out stellar reviews for the squad’s opening win.
“Overall, a C+ match,” said Dixon. “I’m glad we won. Nothing was too great. [Julia Comas in] No. 3 singles was good, but overall we need to be more focused. We need a greater sense of urgency. I’m a fiery coach, and we need more fire.”
The Minutewomen return to action Saturday, when they travel to Fordham for a 1 p.m. match.
Jeff Okerman can be reached at [email protected].
