2008 Woodie Awards
Tennis defeats Bentley, set to play Bloomsburg
By Phil Swartzlander
Rocket Assistant Sports Editor
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Sports
The No. 34-ranked Rock women's tennis team shut out Bentley College, 5-0, Thursday at the regional stage of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The win in the first round marks the third time that the team has moved on to the second round.
To prepare for the match against Bentley, head coach Matt Meredith worked the team hard.
"We really focused on doubles this week, especially setting up points," Meredith said.
The work paid off for the Rock as they swept all three doubles matches.
In the No. 1 doubles match, the pairing of sophomore Kayla Blackburn and freshman Laura Handy won their match quickly, 8-0.
The No. 2 pairing of senior Ashley Greene and freshman Jessica Hilborn fought tough and won 8-6.
The sophomore pairing of Lara Rizzi and Christina Rhodes finished out the sweep of doubles by the score of 8-2.
Meredith was extremely pleased with the results in doubles.
"The girls did exactly what they should have. They came out and took care of business," Meredith said.
With doubles giving the Rock a lead of 3-0, the singles matches did not make it past the No. 2 match. Blackburn won her singles match, 6-2, 6-1, while Handy finished off Bentley by scores of 6-1, 6-2.
Meredith was happy with the way the team responded.
"The team played very well, especially since this is the first game in two weeks." Meredith said, "It was good to get going again."
The win bumps the Rock's overall record to 23-5 on the year.
The Rock will now take on the winner of Millersville-Bloomsburg match Friday at 10 a.m.
As for which opponent Meredith would like to face, his response was 100 percent in one direction.
"We would certainly love to play Millersville, as we beat them twice, but I doubt they could beat Bloomsburg," Meredith said.
The Rock defeated Millersville twice this season, once in PSAC play, 8-1, and then again at the Bloomsburg Duals, 5-0.
As for facing Bloomsburg, the Rock lost in PSAC play, 7-2, back in September and then at the PSAC Team Championships, 5-3.
Meredith said his team is ready for a possible rematch against Bloomsburg.
"We are prepared for Bloomsburg, we have been practicing our doubles so we can get them off the net," Meredith said.
Preparation for tomorrow's match involves lots of rest, Meredith said.
"There is little pressure because we are viewed as underdogs to Bloomsburg." Meredith said, "Everyone expects them to win."
The winner of tomorrow's match will move on to a four-team event hosted by Armstrong Atlantic State (Ga.).
The win in the first round marks the third time that the team has moved on to the second round.
To prepare for the match against Bentley, head coach Matt Meredith worked the team hard.
"We really focused on doubles this week, especially setting up points," Meredith said.
The work paid off for the Rock as they swept all three doubles matches.
In the No. 1 doubles match, the pairing of sophomore Kayla Blackburn and freshman Laura Handy won their match quickly, 8-0.
The No. 2 pairing of senior Ashley Greene and freshman Jessica Hilborn fought tough and won 8-6.
The sophomore pairing of Lara Rizzi and Christina Rhodes finished out the sweep of doubles by the score of 8-2.
Meredith was extremely pleased with the results in doubles.
"The girls did exactly what they should have. They came out and took care of business," Meredith said.
With doubles giving the Rock a lead of 3-0, the singles matches did not make it past the No. 2 match. Blackburn won her singles match, 6-2, 6-1, while Handy finished off Bentley by scores of 6-1, 6-2.
Meredith was happy with the way the team responded.
"The team played very well, especially since this is the first game in two weeks." Meredith said, "It was good to get going again."
The win bumps the Rock's overall record to 23-5 on the year.
The Rock will now take on the winner of Millersville-Bloomsburg match Friday at 10 a.m.
As for which opponent Meredith would like to face, his response was 100 percent in one direction.
"We would certainly love to play Millersville, as we beat them twice, but I doubt they could beat Bloomsburg," Meredith said.
The Rock defeated Millersville twice this season, once in PSAC play, 8-1, and then again at the Bloomsburg Duals, 5-0.
As for facing Bloomsburg, the Rock lost in PSAC play, 7-2, back in September and then at the PSAC Team Championships, 5-3.
Meredith said his team is ready for a possible rematch against Bloomsburg.
"We are prepared for Bloomsburg, we have been practicing our doubles so we can get them off the net," Meredith said.
Preparation for tomorrow's match involves lots of rest, Meredith said.
"There is little pressure because we are viewed as underdogs to Bloomsburg." Meredith said, "Everyone expects them to win."
The winner of tomorrow's match will move on to a four-team event hosted by Armstrong Atlantic State (Ga.).
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