Boise, Idaho - The Eastern Washington women's tennis team kicked off the start of 2015 on a high note by earning an impressive 7-0 win over Lewis-Clark State on Saturday, Jan. 17, in its two-game weekend slate.
In the match against LCS, the Eagles were able to play their best tennis of the weekend en route to their 7-0 victory. In the doubles matches, Eastern's combinations of Erin Blessing and Janaya Smith (6-0), Dani Young and Katrina Domingo (6-1), and Chrissy Uriarte and Brittany Ellingsen (6-3) all earned wins.
In the singles portion, Blessing, Young, and Domingo kept the ball rolling by each earning impressive victories as well. Freshman Rachel Swindell and sophomore Carolina Lopez also earned wins on the afternoon.
Standout freshman Smith had a notable weekend by earning a solid win at the number one position (6-1, 6-1) on Sunday against Lewis-Clark State, but also picked up Eastern's only point against Boise State a day earlier where she faced the number one Bronco's player in Milena Toseva (6-2, 6-2).
"The team stepped up to the challenge big time and had great effort, attitude, and energy all the way through. Our mental focus has improved in a big way from last season and that is changing our performance for the better," stated head coach Dustin Hinson.
Before the solid victory over LCS, the Eagles started the season by facing a challenging Boise State team on its home turf. Despite losing by a final score of 6-1, Eastern showed talent at several positions during the three hour match. Aside from Smith's win, the Eagles nearly earned an additional singles point when Blessing brought her match to a three set tie-breaker, but eventually lost to the Broncos Teal Vosburgh (5-7, 6-1, 1-0 (10-8)).
Eastern was also able to push Boise State to a third match in the doubles portion of the evening after Eastern's combination of Smith and Blessing earned a 6-2 victory over LaLone/Toseva.
"Even though we lost 6-1 (to BSU), I was very happy with our performance," said Hinson, "Our number one doubles team of Smith and Blessing played some of the best doubles I've seen as a coach."
After starting the season with a 1-1 record, the Eagles will look to continue improving in its next match against Seattle in Cheney, Wash., on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 10:00 a.m.
