Dukes Edged 5-2 by UNCW in Neutral-Court CAA Action

Sunday, March 22

Elon, N.C.

11 a.m.

James Madison University

UNCW

3/22/2015 6:58:00 PM | Women's Tennis

ELON, N.C. – James Madison women's tennis was edged 5-2 by UNCW in neutral-court Colonial Athletic Association action on Sunday.

The Seahawks swept doubles action for the first point of the day before a win by freshman Kimmy Herrock tied the match at 1-all. Herrock opened singles play for the Dukes with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Alix Theodossiou at the No. 4 position.

UNCW picked up the next four singles wins to secure the victory, but JMU ended the day with a win at No. 3 singles. Freshman Dylan Owens, after falling 7-6(6) in set one to Christine Kharkevitch, was leading 6-4 in set two before Kharkevitch retired due to injury.

"Today was a tough loss to take," Head Coach James Bryce said. "We battled hard, but couldn't finish today. Credit to UNCW for fighting back in singles after we took five of six first sets. We will learn from this experience and look forward to playing our home opener on Wednesday."

Doubles action opened with an 8-4 loss by senior Taylor Pinchoff and sophomore Alex Huie to Kharkevitch and Annika Sillanpaa at the No. 1 position. The point was secured by Hollie Champion and Theodossiou at No. 3 doubles with an 8-6 win over sophomores Rachel Nelson and Emily Bradshaw. At No. 2 doubles, Herrock and sophomore Rebecca Harris fell 8-5 to Alyssa Ritchie and Miller Hales.

After Herrock's singles win tied the match, UNCW regained the lead when Sillanpaa took a three-set victory (5-7, 6-2, 6-3) over Pinchoff at No. 1 singles. The Seahawks pushed to a 3-1 advantage when Ritchie overcame Nelson in three sets (2-6, 6-0, 6-3) at No. 2 singles.

A three-set loss (5-7, 6-2, 6-2) by Harris to Hales at No. 5 singles clinched the match for UNCW. At No. 6 singles, Bradshaw retired due to injury with the match tied at 1-1 and leading 3-2 in the final set with Hamilton Lovett.

The Dukes are back on the courts Wednesday, March 25, as they open their home slate with a visit from Williams College. Match play begins at 3 p.m. on Hillside Courts.

UNCW 5, James Madison 2
Doubles
1. Christine Kharkevitch/Annika Sillanpaa (UNCW) def. Taylor Pinchoff/Alex Huie (JMU) 8-4
2. Alyssa Ritchie/Miller Hales (UNCW) def. Kimmy Herrock/Rebecca Harris (JMU) 8-5
3. Hollie Champion/Alix Theodossiou (UNCW) def. Rachel Nelson/Emily Bradshaw (JMU) 8-6
Order of Finish: 1, 3*, 2
Singles
1. Annika Sillanpaa (UNCW) def. Taylor Pinchoff (JMU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
2. Alyssa Ritchie (UNCW) def. Rachel Nelson (JMU) 2-6, 6-0, 6-3
3. Dylan Owens (JMU) def. Christine Kharkevitch (UNCW) 6-7 (6), 6-4, retired (inj. def.)
4. Kimmy Herrock (JMU) def. Alix Theodossiou (UNCW) 6-1, 6-2
5. Miller Hales (UNCW) def. Rebecca Harris (JMU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-2
6. Hamilton Lovett (UNCW) def. Emily Bradshaw (JMU) 3-6, 6-4, 2-3, retired (inj. def.)
Order of Finish: 4, 1, 2, 5*, 6, 3