Women's Tennis cruises past Roadrunners, wins sixth straight

By HANNAH LAFOREST
UNCBears.com

GREELEY -- After a two-week break from competition, the Northern Colorado women's tennis team continued to roll Saturday and defeated Metro State 7-0 at Butler-Hancock Tennis Courts. It was the Bears' sixth straight victory.

The Bears' doubles teams swept every position against the Roadrunners, with sophomore Taylor Schumacher stepping in for junior Adriana Nieto, who is out with an injury. Northern Colorado (7-5) saw its top doubles duo of Stephanie Catlin and Elizabeth Tapia defeated Alicia Holm and Nadia Khamis 8-2 in convincing fashion.

Freshman Chrissie Hoolahan played with senior Jennifer Whateley and defeated Sam Schall and Marianne Evangelista 8-1 at the No. 2 position, while Jennifer Buchanan and Schumacher defeated Nikki Amos and Nicole Herman 8-5 at No. 3.

"The team was determined and did not let up," Northern Colorado coach Brenda Vlasak said. "They played smart tennis."

The singles matches saw two-set sweeps in all positions, with Whateley finishing first when she defeated Holm 6-1, 6-1. With Nieto's absence, all of the Bears' positions moved up one spot, but the Bears did not let it affect their play.

Tapia defeated Evangelista 6-3, 6-1 while Buchanan beat Khamis 6-0, 6-1 at the Nos. 2 and 3 positions.

Catlin and Hoolahan took care of business at the Nos. 4 and 5 positions, knocking off Amos 6-2, 6-0 and Herman 6-1, 6-2.

Schumacher shined at No. 6, defeating Schall 6-1, 6-0, giving Schumacher her first win in the lineup.

"The team played well today," Vlasak said.  "I am pleased with the results and feel like this was a good warmup match before our conference match (Sunday)."

Vlasak and the Bears return to conference action at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 1, when they host Portland State. The match will also be Senior Day and Whateley, the lone senior on the Bears' roster, will be honored before the match.