Cheney, Wash. - With the momentum of a three-match winning streak, the Eastern Washington University women's tennis team continues its dual season by hosting Big Sky Conference opponent Weber State (Friday, Feb. 26) and non-conference opponent Whitworth (Saturday, Feb. 27).
This past week, Eastern earned two victories on the road at conference foes North Dakota (Friday, Feb. 19) and Northern Colorado (Sunday, Feb. 21). With the wins EWU improved to 8-3 on the season and 3-0 in league play, good for first place in the Big Sky standings.
The Eagles performed at a high level against North Dakota, dominating their opponent 6-1, while dropping only one singles match the entire contest. After Junior Erin Blessing, who went undefeated in the two matches, dispatched UND's Mary Wessman with ease, defeating her 6-2, 6-0.
In the second match of the week, Eastern out-dueled Northern Colorado, 4-3, in a contest that went down to the final match. The tandem of sophomore Janaya Smith and freshman Faye Worrall earned their biggest doubles win of the season, topping the nation's 40th ranked doubles team, Beth Coton and Remi Immler, 7-6 (6). Senior Moira Hedberg and Blessing secured the crucial doubles point with a 6-3 victory against Courtney Schulte and Hilary Walters-West. With the match tied 3-3, Erin Blessing came through in the clutch, defeating Anna Battersby in three sets, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3, and locking up the EWU win.
Leading the Eagles in doubles is the veteran pair of Moira Hedberg and Erin Blessing, with a 9-2 record in duals. Top performers in singles are Faye Worrall, sitting at a team best 6-4, while Blessing and junior Dani Young both own a 6-5 dual record.
Weber State (1-7, 1-0 Big Sky) has had a rocky start to its spring schedule, recently earning its first win at North Dakota, 4-3, on Saturday, Feb. 20. Leading the Wildcats out of the No. 1 spot is senior Agata Bachanek, with a 4-3 singles record. Last season the Eagles fell to WSU on the road 3-4.
Whitworth (0-4) is still looking for its first win of the spring season. Recently, the Pirates suffered a 5-4 loss at the hands of George Fox, on Sunday, Feb. 21. Playing out of the No. 1 spot for Whitworth is junior Bella Hoyos, who has started off 0-4 in singles thus far. Paired with teammate Jennifer Adams, she is 2-1 in doubles.
