GREENSBORO – Injuries have prevented the North Carolina A&T women's tennis team from playing with a six-player lineup all season, but it has not stopped the Aggies from being extremely competitive.
That trend continued Thursday against Long Island University at the Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center. The Aggies put together another strong effort, but the Sharks got a crucial three-set win at No. 2 singles and used the Aggies' forfeit at No. 6 singles to win 4-2. A&T dropped its third straight, falling to 5-3 overall.
"We suffered a bit of a setback against LIU, but their play has been stellar," said A&T head women's tennis coach Dejon Bivens. "It is tough to be down a player and compete. But they have been showing a lot of grit and determination."
The two teams did not play doubles because LIU was under a time constraint because of travel. The Sharks headed into the match with a 1-0 advantage because the Aggies had two players sidelined with injuries. What unfolded after the Sharks were awarded the point made for an excellent drama.
Three three-set matches followed, with the Aggies winning twice.
Unfortunately, the Sharks took command of the two-setters, starting with Lucia Garrigues defeating A&T freshman Dorsa Cheraghi 6-2, 6-1 at No. 1 singles. LIU took a 3-0 lead when Clara Tardivel claimed a 6-4, 7-5 win over Juana Weiss Gomez at No. 4.
A&T came roaring back, placing a win on the board when junior Hana El Sherif defeated Mia Tsoukalas 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. El Sherif improved to 5-3 this season. Another terrific three-setter emerged at No. 2 singles. LIU's Ksenia Reznitskaya outlasted A&T sophomore Randy Rakotoarilala 1-6, 7-5, 6-4.
That didn't stop freshman Flavia Villegas from continuing her hot streak. She has been a marvel at No. 5 for the Aggies this season, improving to 8-0 with a 6-4, 3-6, 10-6 win over Paula Guillen Cerver. It has been quite the week for the Bolivia native. She got a win over a Clemson player on Sunday before winning again on Thursday against Norfolk State.
"Flavia has been a standout, and I look forward to a bright future with her," said Bivens. "We have a very young team with Hana El Sherif leading the way. Our ladies are hungry to get better, and with every match, they are showing that they will be dangerous. I am looking forward to what is to come from our ladies. We are off to a great start."
The Aggies return to action on Saturday when they travel to Boling Springs, NC to face the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 19.
