The women’s tennis team played back-to-back matches this past weekend, winning their first match against Stoney Brook, 4-1, but falling to Army, 4-1, the next day. 

“It was a good weekend,” head coach Steve Reiniger said. “We switched up our doubles teams, and although we did not get the doubles point in either match, it seemed to benefit the team”. 

The Wildcats played strong on Friday, with Emi Callahan and Maggie Gehrig beating Stoney Brook’s Loreto Villalba-Rubio and Kristi Boro, 6-4, in doubles. 

The rest of the team relayed on singles, with Emma Brogan and Bella Steffen losing, 7-6, as well as Valieriia Kornieva and Amanda Rivera-González being defeated, 6-3.  

Once singles started, things started to look up for Villanova as they swept the Seawolves. Out of the six matches, only four were completed, yet all four ended in victory for the ‘Cats. 

Brogan won in two, going 6-2 and 6-4. Callahan played against Chandrika Joshi and while she ended the first round, 3-6, she came back to win, 6-2, in the next two to clinch the victory. 

Gehrig also won her match in two; 6-4 and 6-3. Both Kornieva and Steffen’s matches were not finished, but Caitlin Fisher finished strong for the team, going 6-3 and 6-4. 

The following day, the ‘Cats got ready to take on Army, and despite the loss “[they] competed very well,” Reiniger said. “Valieriia and Callahan were playing extremely well, and could have won their matches had the game not been called.” 

Doubles did not go in Villanova’s favor, with Callahan and Gehrig losing, 6-2. Kornieva and Rivera-González lost, 6-1, and Brogan and Steffen’s march was left unfinished.  

While the Wildcats headed into singles behind, they were able to find slight success. Steffen won her match in three, going 3-6, 6-4, and 6-3, but the rest of the team ultimately fell. 

Reflecting on the weekend, it was clear that Brogan brought success for the ‘Cats. 

“Brogan was a stand out player this weekend,” Reiniger said. “As the number one on the team, she is constantly facing the toughest competition, and within this weekend and the entire season, she has risen to the occasion and played great tennis.” 

Now with a 4-10 overall record and a 2-2 conference record, the Wildcats will have a break this week to focus on practice. 

Next week, Villanova will take the court again as it is up against Seton Hall, Loyola Maryland and UConn.