The Slippery Rock University tennis team pushed their winning streak to three with a pair of 5-4 victories over conference rivals, Edinboro University last Thursday and Seton Hill University Tuesday.
The Rock traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania to take on the Fighting Scots of Edinboro for last Thursday’s match. The Scots jumped out to an early 2-1 lead after the doubles matches. The Green and White’s lone doubles win was by their number one doubles team, freshmen Carla Corrochano Moracho and Nina Barbano, who won 8-5.
SRU’s number three doubles team of sophomores Stephanie Fortier and Kylee Woodman lost a close 8-6 match, while Edinboro won at number two doubles by default.
In singles play, the teams played two three-set matches, with the Rock’s Carla Corrochano Moracho winning 6-2 in the third set at number one singles, while Fortier lost 7-5 in the third set at number four singles.
Barbano and freshman Ana Petrovic won at second and third singles respectively, while sophomore Emily Munson lost in the number five slot. In number six singles, sophomore Kylee Woodman made her first singles appearance of the season, winning a 6-1, 6-2 decision to give SRU the win.
Woodman said she’s fortunate to even be playing right now after having shoulder surgery.
“I felt extremely relieved and excited after my first singles win back since my shoulder surgery,” Woodman said. “If I would have been told a few months ago that I would be playing by now, I wouldn’t have believed it. I am so blessed to have such a supportive team who has been there for me the whole time.”
Head coach Matt Meredith said he is glad to have Woodman back and healthy.
“It’s awesome to have Kylee back,” Meredith said. “Having her back adds depth to the team. She wasn’t even expected to play singles against Edinboro, but she stepped up in a big way.”
The Rock continued their winning ways on Tuesday against Seton Hill. Once again they fell behind 2-1, only to rebound in singles play to record the victory.
Petrovic and Munson teamed up to win at number three singles, while the teams of Corrochano Moracho and Barbano and Woodman and Fortier lost their doubles matches.
On the singles side, Corrochano Moracho won yet another three set match, improving her overall singles record to 9-8, while Barbano improved to a team best 11-7 with a 7-5, 6-2 victory.
Munson and Woodman rounded out the victories for SRU, with 6-1, 6-0 and 6-0, 6-0 decisions respectively.
“I believe that our team is really starting to click,” Woodman said. “We had a rough start, but I believe that we are hitting our stride. I look forward to cheering and playing side by side with these ladies.”
Meredith said he’s happy with his team’s singles play, but knows the team can still improve.
“We are playing good singles right now,” Meredith said. “Numbers one and two have played phenomenal this year. We are still learning how to win, but I’m happy how we’ve progressed.”
Next up for the Rock is the Bloomsburg duals, where they will take on Philadelphia University and Goldey-Beacom on Saturday, and the University of Charleston on Sunday.
