The N.C. State women’s tennis team lost its first match of the season against the VCU Rams on Thursday afternoon. The 4-2 loss was the first loss of the season for the Pack (9-1 overall).
“I thought VCU did a great job. They came in and made a great effort and congratulations to them for the win,” said head coach Hans Olsen. “It wasn’t our goal to have a perfect season so I think we have learned a lot from every match and wins and losses are just part of sports.”
Play began with three doubles matches. VCU won two of the three matches to clinch their doubles victory and secure the first point of the match. The third doubles game was left unfinished. After doubles play concluded, the teams participated in six games of singles play.
Senior Tatiana Illova picked up the first singles victory of the day. Illova dominated her opponent, winning by a score of 6-0, 6-1. The win marked the Slovakia native’s ninth victory of the season. Illova’s win tied the teams at one point each.
“I was just really focused on every single point,” said Illova. “My mind was really calm and I just wanted to get done quickly so I could support my teammates.”
Junior Joelle Kissell broke the deadlock by beating VCU’s Cindy Chala 6-3, 7-5. Kissell held control for much of the first set and took a commanding 5-3 lead in the second set before Chala came back to tie it at 5-5. However Kissell was able to retake control of the match and finish off Chala with an ace. Kissell’s win was the final win of the day for the Wolfpack.
Freshman Rachael James-Baker and sophomore Elisha Hande finished next. Both games ended within four minutes of each other and both lost in straight sets. James- Baker was able to put up a strong fight in the first set that ended 7-5. However, her opponent was able to dominate the second set, winning the set 6-1. Hande’s match came down to a set two tiebreaker where she eventually fell.
After the first four singles matches ended, VCU was up 4-2, which meant State had to win the next two matches to stay alive in the overall match.
Sophomore Nicole Martinez lost her first set 6-4 before fighting back to win the second set 6-2. In the final set, Martinez took a commanding 3-0 lead, but the Rams’ Olga Terteac fought back to tie the match at 3-3 and again at 4-4 before taking a 5-4 lead. Despite her best efforts, Martinez eventually fell, hitting the final shot of the match into the net.
“It was a really hard fought match,” said Olsen “We lost the first sets on three of the courts and got off to a good start in the second set just the way we would want to do it. Sometimes from a loss we will be able to learn a little bit more.”
Senior Chloe Smith’s match was tied 4-4 in the final set when VCU earned the victory. Smith’s match was left unfinished as the Pack received its first loss of the season.
“Everyone was a little sad that we lost, but you just have to learn from it,” said Illova. “It’s good experience. We just have to keep our heads up and get ready for our next match.”
The Wolfpack’s next match will be at home versus Brown University on Saturday March 16th at 1:00 PM. Next Thursday, State has another home match against rivals UNC-CH at 4:00 PM.
