Villanova women’s tennis (9-9, 4-0 Big East) continued its domination in the conference this weekend with wins over DePaul University and the University of Connecticut. Meanwhile, the men’s team (4-16, 0-4) picked up a loss to Saint Joseph’s University but honored its seniors with a home sweep of Lafayette College on Saturday.
The women defeated DePaul (9-10, 4-4) on Saturday, 4-3, and UConn (14-3, 8-1) on Sunday, 4-3, to extend their win streak to four.
After DePaul clinched the doubles point, it was Villanova’s singles performance that brought home the win.
“It’s always tough when you lose the doubles point and have to win four singles matches,” women’s head coach Steve Reiniger said. “The attitude on the court was fantastic, and we fought till the end.”
To open singles play, graduate Sophia Edwards claimed a gritty 7-6, 6-4 win at No. 1. Freshman Olivia Corcoran fell at No. 2, 6-1, 6-0. Junior Maggie Gehrig picked up the energy in singles with a 6-2, 6-4 victory. Sophomore Jenna Stevens won at No. 3, 7-6, 6-1, to take the match.
The women moved into a tough matchup with UConn the next day. The match again came down to individual performances after Villanova gave up the doubles point.
Three singles matches turned into grueling three-set battles. At No. 1, Edwards took on UConn senior Olivia Wright, but fell, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4.
“Sophia [Edwards] and UConn’s number one [Wright] are probably the two best players in the conference, so that was a good match to see,” Reiniger said. “Sophia’s the most positive and mentally tough player on the team. She leads by example. The other girl just caught fire, there’s no other way to say it.”
Corcoran blew through the second singles match with a 6-0, 6-2 win.
At No. 3, Gehrig fought to a 7-5, 6-7, 6-2 victory. Her performances across the weekend earned her Big East Singles Player of the Week honors.
“Staying positive has really helped their results, and especially Maggie [Gehrig] because she’s on an eight-game win streak as a junior,” Reiniger said. “This is by far her best season yet.”
A planned Tuesday home match against Lafayette will be rescheduled due to weather. In the meantime, the Wildcats prepare to host rival Georgetown (6-10, 3-5) on Saturday, April 12 at 11 a.m.
As for the men, the week’s matches began with a 4-1 loss to Saint Joseph’s (8-12, 2-1 Atlantic-10) on Wednesday.
The match started with both doubles pairs conceding to the Hawks, 6-2.
“We were very flat in that match, especially doubles,” head coach Brad Adams said. “We need to make sure we carry energy through the singles matches. Everybody’s playing well, striking the ball well. We just need to work on having that attitude, as far as being confident in every point.”
On the singles side, the bright spot for Villanova was junior Cooper Gordon. The only Wildcat to secure a win, Gordon dominated Saint Joe’s senior Justus Agbo, 6-1, 6-0, at the No. 1 position.
“[Gordon] has been very close all season, as far as beating very good players,” Adams said. “He was able to push through and get that victory, which shows his commitment and willingness to work hard. He’s really transforming himself into a guy that [his teammates] can look up to.”
In the other complete singles matches, senior Trey Fourticq lost at No. 2, 6-4, 6-0. Sophomore Will Monahan took a 6-2, 6-1 loss at No. 4. In the No. 5 singles match, sophomore Thomas Wakefield also lost, 6-2, 6-0.
Villanova flipped the energy on Friday with a Senior Day sweep over Lafayette (5-13, 2-4 Patriot League). The Wildcats honored two graduating seniors, Fourticq and Josh Vestal.
In doubles play, sophomore Justin Frattarelli and Monahan grabbed a 6-1 win at No. 1. At No. 2, Gordon and sophomore Kush Anand won, 6-3. As a celebration, the seniors teamed up at No. 3 doubles for a 6-2 victory.
“[Fourticq and Vestal] have been some of my best leaders in my time here at Villanova, as far as setting an example of what being a student-athlete is all about,” Adams said. “The camaraderie and the energy on the court was ridiculous.”
Fourticq continued the Senior Day energy with a quick 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles. Anand earned a 6-0, 6-1 win in No. 6 singles. Wakefield finished the day with another victory at No. 5, 6-2, 6-2.
The Wildcats will take on one of their toughest matches of the season this Wednesday, April 9. Villanova heads to Queens, NY to face Saint John’s University (19-2, 3-0) at noon. The team will return home on Saturday, April 12 for another noon match against Georgetown (6-12, 2-4).
