Cheney, Wash. - Fresh off a win in its Big Sky Conference opener, the Eastern Washington University women's tennis team looks to continue its terrific start to the spring season with non-conference duals at Gonzaga (Friday, Feb. 12) and at home against Lewis-Clark State (Saturday, Feb. 13).
This past weekend, Eastern earned a hard-fought win, 4-3, against Northern Arizona on Sunday, Feb. 7, for its Big Sky Conference opener, giving the team a three game winning streak. The Eagles opened the match by securing the doubles point through two victories from the teams of sophomore Janaya Smith and freshman Faye Worrall, and senior Moira Hedberg paired with junior Erin Blessing. EWU clinched the contest victory by going even with NAU with three singles wins. As the only senior on the team, Hedberg has stepped up as a leader, recording a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Northern Arizona's Blanka Szavay. With the win, EWU improved to 5-2 on its spring schedule so far.
Top performers for the Eagles so far this season include the doubles combo of Moira Hedberg and Erin Blessing, as the two upperclassmen have gone 6-1, with their only loss coming against Washington on the road. Faye Worrall leads Eastern in singles wins, going 5-2, and close behind her is sophomore Rachel Swindell with a 4-3 dual record.
Gonzaga has gotten off to a 3-1 start to its spring season, with the only loss coming at the hands of No. 51 Utah, 6-1. The Zags' latest matchup was a win against Nevada, 5-2, on Sunday, Jan. 31. Eastern faced Nevada on the road earlier this season, also winnings its matchup 5-2 on the road. Freshman Sophie Whittle leads GU, playing at the number one spot. In singles competition, she is 16-4 overall, and 3-1 in duals, while in doubles she is 15-4 overall and 3-0 in duals, paired with senior teammate, Samantha Polayes.
Lewis-Clark State is 2-5 on the spring season, with its last match being a 6-1 loss to Big Sky opponent Idaho. Senior Deanri Human is the Warriors' leader, going 5-2 through singles duals. The team of Anna Rodriguez and Jen Roux has put together the team's best doubles performances, going 3-1 in duals.
