The Slippery Rock University tennis team faced off against California University (Pa.) in their final regular season game for a senior day victory. The Rock was looking to keep the momentum going after two huge wins against the University of Charleston and West Virginia Wesleyan University.
With the 6-1 victory, the White and Green’s overall record now improved to 12-3 and 5-1 inside the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). This records the 10th straight win against California, which included nine shutouts.
The triumph also brought the team to tie for sixth-best 15-match start to a season in program history.
Starting out in doubles, Slippery Rock dominated all three matches. Nicole Kempton and Alissia Kivi took a 6-3 win over Sofia Rodriguez and Leandra Guldimann.
It was a full team effort in matches two and three, as Amaia Balaguer Brau and Tina Slovak and Nadia Rodewald and Dari Sakhanova both took home 6-2 wins respectively.
The singles matchup continued the strong showing for The Rock as they took five of six sets. Balaguer Brau would finish first with a 6-2, 6-1 victory, followed by Rodewald with a clean 6-0, 6-0 sweep.
Rodewald, a sophomore transfer student from Grand Valley State University, has lost only one singles match in the season and lost one in doubles play, partnered with Sakhanova.
The victory only continuted as Kempton would secure a 6-1, 6-0 win, Kivi had a hard-fought 6-4, 6-2 win, and Sakhanova with a 6-3, 6-2 finish.
Slippery Rock closes their regular season with the 6-1 victory, ending the season with a satisfying win on senior day, a three-game win streak and guaranteed playoff match in the PSAC tournament.
While still having a winning season last year, 15-10, the team build off that success to end the regular season stronger with the 12-3 record.
The team now shifts their focus to their postseason play starting April 28th, as they face off against West Chester University at the SRU tennis courts.
