North Carolina A&T’s Women’s tennis team played their firsthome match of the season against the Elon Phoenix on Friday, Jan.20.
The Aggies and the Phoenix played very intense doubles and singlesmatches. Although the Aggies brought their powerful swings anddedicated attitudes they lost their match against Elon with thefinal score being 7-0.
Head Coach James Dunwoody was very proud of his team’s hard work.”I saw and understood their strengths and weaknesses of the match,”said Dunwoody. “First thing I need to do as a coach is work ontheir weaknesses.” Dunwoody also stated that he has seenimprovement in his team. In a past game against Elon the match didnot even last long as it did today at almost 2 hours. “I think weare as good as Elon the way we played today,” Dunwoody said with aconfident smile.
Doubles was the first to be played and the Aggies lost each match.In the doubles match players Cayla Cross and Azeib Nigatu losttheir match by a final score of 8-0. Nianna Henry and KimberlyStalling along with Kenya Colbert and April Burrage both lost theirmatches by a final score of 8-2. An opponent of Colbert andBurrage, sophomore Frida Jansaker, spoke out to say that it was anoverall good competitive game. “It was a good match, our teamplayed really well today. I’ve played on this team from freshmanyear and I can say we’ve raised the bar.”
April Burrage and Kenya Colbert, both first time college tennisplayers, revealed that it was a good match. “I believe we need tocontinue to work hard so we will be ready for the conference,” saidApril Burrage. Burrage isn’t the only one preparing to get readyfor the conference matches. “The goal is not to necessarily win.It’s to work hard and to prepare for the conference matches,” teammember Cayla Cross noted. “These games are more for us to see werewe are and what to practice for it [conference].”
Kimberly Stalling started off the singles match intense and strongleading the Aggies ahead. She fell short to competitor Bryn Khouryby scores of 6-2, 0-6. Cayla Cross took on Barboa Lazarova and lostby 6-3, 6-0. Kenya Colbert fell against Briana Berne with scores of6-0, 6-0. Azieb Nigatu served it up against Maria Ruiz and lost by6-2, 6-2. Nianna Henry battled against Katy Canada and lost by 6-0,6-0. April Burrage played against Kaylyn Smialek and walked awaywith score of 6-2, 6-2.
The Aggies are headed to compete against Appalachian State onSaturday, Jan 21 at 3p.m. to hopefully bring home a win of amatch.
The Aggies will swing into action at their next home game at thePiedmont Indoor Tennis Center on Saturday, Jan 28 at 1 p.m. againstthe Wofford Terriers.
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