Washington, D.C. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Tennis team continued its superb start to the 2024-25 season by handing previously undefeated University of the District of Columbia a 6-1 loss, in our nation's capital on Friday afternoon.
STAC remains perfect themselves, improving to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in ECC play, while UDC falls to 5-1 and 3-1.
St. Thomas Aquinas began the afternoon by taking two out of three doubles matches, as Elise Semmartin & Mar Caneves Bufi took a 6-1 victory over Lina Benjelloun & Nadja Zmukic at No. 3 to set the tempo. Following a UDC win at No. 2 (Celia Bastin & Claudia Bahamon def. Kateryna Kryuchkova & Anaya Brons, 6-3), The team of Courtney Fyvie & Elita Silins would clinch the all important point for the maroon and gold with a 7-6 (7-3) triumph over Desire Parn & Polina Zelentsova at the No. 1 position.
Already up 1-0, the Spartans would settle the match with three straight victories, as No. 3 Elise Semmartin bested Claudia Bahamon Lopez, 6-0, 6-0, No. 5 Ombeline Robilliart defeated Lina Benjelloun, 6-2, 6-1 and No. 4 Courtney Fyvie downed Celia Bastin 6-3, 6-2 to earn the team win. UDC's No. 2 Polina Zelentsova broke the maroon and gold singles win streak with a 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 triumph against Elita Silins. However, #1 Anaya Brons would then earn a three set triumph (6-3, 1-6, 6-2) against Desire Parn, followed by No. 6 Kateryna Kryuchkova's 6-1, 6-0 win versus Nadja Zmukic to close out the day's events.
Courtney Fyvie and Elise Semmartin both went 2-0 on the day, winning both their singles and doubles matches against the Firebirds.
STAC 6/UDC 1 - OFFICIAL RESULTS
1. Courtney Fyvie & Elita Silins (STAC) def. Desire Parn & Polina Zelentsova (UDC), 7-6 (7-3)
Order of finish: 3, 2, 1*
SINGLES
1. Anaya Brons (STAC) def. Desire Parn (UDC) 6-3, 1-6, 6-2
Order of finish: 3, 5, 4*, 2, 1, 6
"I am very pleased to get a win at UDC," said Head Coach Dan Rockhill. "They were an NCAA tournament team last season and it was a long, ten plus hours on the bus with an early start."
"Our team is improving with each match played. Our first-year players are gaining valuable experience that they need. It is very difficult to travel to a foreign country, away from family and friends, study in a non-native language and play tennis at a high level right away. I am impressed and happy with what they have been able to do thus far."
"We were fortunate to come away with the doubles point," stated Rockhill. We have been working hard with our pairs but our play served as a reminder that this is a process. We need to continue to implement our game plans, play with confidence and develop more good habits and decision making.
"The team demonstrated grit today," remarked Rockhill. "We may not have played our best tennis in all spots but we competed well. I have never been one who enjoys coaching effort so I am happy the team gives their best day in and day out."
"I like that Kat is building her confidence," said Rockhill. "She certainly can be one of the region's best players. In addition, Elise, our MIP for the match, provided a great lift by getting us a much-needed singles point (6-0, 6-0) to give us a 2-0 lead. She also played solid doubles with Mar. They are becoming a nice team and enjoy playing together."
"We are happy to have a day off before going up to Post on Sunday. This is our most important match of the year and another opportunity to improve."
STAC visits non-conference opponent Post University on Sunday, October 13 for a 1:00 p.m. match at the Edgewood Bath and Tennis Club in Middlebury, Connecticut.