The Ramapo College Women’s Tennis Team added another win the their record as they defeated St. Thomas Aquinas College Tuesday at the Ramapo College tennis courts. The Lady Roadrunners currently have a 6-1 overall record and are 3-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, with their only loss at the hands of The College of New Jersey, who are 6-0 after Sunday’s match against Rutgers-Camden.
Last Tuesday, fans watched as the girls faced St. Thomas Aquinas College, 1-3. St. Thomas recently gained four freshmen who proved to be key players on their team, but who were unable to stop the Lady Roadrunners, who downed the Spartans 7-2.
It all started with doubles on court one as junior Carly Agrifolio and sophomore Katrina Biss took down their opponents 8-4. The Ladies used lobs, cross-court shots and Agrifolio’s presence at the net to achieve their victory.
Second doubles team, sophomores Sara Luby and Micala Demchak outlasted their opponents 8-6. Third doubles also had a close match as sophomores Ivy Schuckman and Karina Antequera fell just short 7-9, after making a comeback from a 4-7 score.
The Ramapo College Women’s Tennis Team snagged five out of six singles matches. Luby says, “It was a good match, overall the team played really well.”
Luby breezed by her opponent 6-1, 6-3, using the patience and technique she has demonstrated through the season.
“I focus on staying consistent on my forehand and more winners on my backhand,” she said.
Agrifolio posted a 6-4, 6-2 win at second singles. She often approached the net and put the ball away in one of the corners. Demchak earned a 6-1, 7-5 win at third singles, after a close second set.
Biss grabbed a win at fourth singles 6-2, 6-4. Although her opponent tried to move her around with shots in the corner, Biss retaliated with a strategy in which she would bring her opponent up to the net and then lob it over her head.
Senior Maegan Heaney had the toughest match of the evening, but played hard until the final point. She split sets with her opponent and fell in the close tiebreaker 10-7.
Junior Karina Antequera posted a 6-4, 6-2 victory in the sixth spot to round out the match. A combination of fast serves and shots down the line helped Antequera win her match.
Captain and third singles player senior, Stephanie Abrecht, could not make it to the match, but has proven to be a key player this year. Her leadership has helped the Lady Roadrunners have a positive mental game on and off the court.
Head Coach Raza Baig and Assistant Coach Prasanna Fernando have worked tirelessly to prepare the girls for their matches this season. In pre-season, they focused on doubles strategy and stressed the importance of consistency and strong footwork.
“Consistency is the strongest point of our team as a whole,” says Baig, who is happy with how his team is doing this season.
The Stockton match at home on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. will be a challenging match as the two NJAC rivals try to gain ground in the conference. Stockton is currently 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
The Ramapo College Women’s Tennis Team has performed well over the first half of the season, and looks to continue that way. Their next match will be Thursday at home at 6 p.m. against John Jay College.
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kbiss@ramapo.edu
