Posted: Apr 02, 2022
Sparkill, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Tennis team won its sixth straight match on Saturday, defeating Wilmington University (Del.) by the score of 4-3 at the Riley Family Tennis Courts. The victory over the #26 ITA rated Wildcats is the program's first over a nationally ranked squad.
Prior to the contest, STAC honored its graduating senior class; Maya O'Brien, Flaminia Maria Valci and Karina Blas with on-court ceremonies, which included their teammates, coaches and college administrators.
The Wildcats got off to a strong start during doubles, winning two out of the three matchups to take the first team point. Ebba Rosberg and Samanta Villegas Robles were the only Spartan pair to win their match, beating the #8 ranked East Region doubles team, Jess Purdy & Neus Ramos Moreno.
STAC battled hard during singles action, winning four of six matchups. Ebba Rosberg led off for STAC in No. 1 singles, defeating her matchup in two bouts; 6-3, 6-0. Paula Palero had another great performance in singles, defeating her opponent; 6-4, 7-5. Samanta Villegas Robles bested her competition in the No. 5 spot, 6-0, 6-3 and Viktoriia Pavlovets rounded out the singles victories for the Spartans, winning in the second slot by a score of 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-3.
STAC battled hard during singles action, winning four of six matchups. Ebba Rosberg led off for STAC in No. 1 singles, defeating her matchup in two bouts; 6-3, 6-0. Paula Palero had another great performance in singles, defeating her opponent; 6-4, 7-5. Samanta Villegas Robles bested her competition in the No. 5 spot, 6-0, 6-3 and Viktoriia Pavlovets rounded out the singles victories for the Spartans, winning in the second slot by a score of 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-3.
STAC 4/WILMINGTON 3 - OFFICIAL RESULTS
DOUBLES
1. Ebba Rosberg & Samanta Villegas Robles (STAC) def. Jess Purdy & Neus Ramos Moreno (WILM), 7-6 (11-9)
2. Valentina Ivankovic & Marley Trifunovic (WILM) def. Elita Silins & Karina Blas (STAC), 6-2
3. Larize Nel & Fenna Swaan (WILM) def. Eliza Mulder & Paula Palero (STAC) 6-0
Order of Finish: 3, 2*, 1
SINGLES
1. Ebba Rosberg (STAC) def. Neus Ramos Moreno (WILM) 6-3, 6-0
2. Viktoriia Pavlovets (STAC) def. Jess Purdy (WILM) 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-3
3. Begona Gomar (WILM) def. Karina Blas (STAC) 1-6, 6-1, 6-3
4. Paula Palero (STAC) def. Valentina Ivankovic (WILM) 6-4, 7-5
5. Samanta Villegas Robles (STAC) def. Marley Trifunovic (WILM) 6-0, 6-3
6. Larize Nel (WILM) def. Elita Silins (STAC) 0-6, 6-2, 1-0 (11-9)
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 4, 5, 2*, 6
#26 Wilmington Record: 11-2, 6-0 CACC
#36 STAC Record: 15-2, 4-1 ECC
Notes: Samanta Villegas Robles sets new program single season records for singles wins (14) and combined wins (26). Ebba Rosberg won nine straight games to win at No. 1 vs. the #3 ranked East Region singles player, Neus Ramos Moreno. The team of Ebba Rosberg and Samanta Villegas Robles beat the #8 ranked East Region doubles pair, Jess Purdy & Neus Ramos Moreno.
Up Next: St. Thomas Aquinas faces Chestnut Hill College on Monday, April 4 at 1:00 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pa.