JMU Sinks Richmond, 4-1, in Regular-Season Road Finale
4/11/2016 6:51:00 PM | Women's Tennis
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RICHMOND, Va. – James Madison women's tennis notched its 15th win of the season by sinking Richmond 4-1 in the Dukes' regular-season finale on Monday afternoon.
JMU is now 15-5 on the year, the most program wins in a single-season for the Dukes since a 20-4 performance in 1989-90. The Spiders dropped to 12-8 on the spring in their final home match of the year.
The Dukes started strong in doubles, battling to wins at all three positions to take a 1-0 lead into singles play. After JMU pushed out to a 2-0 lead, Richmond cut the gap in half before the Dukes shut the door with wins at No. 3 and No. 2 singles.
Harris teamed with fellow junior Rachel Nelson for the 7-5 win at No. 3 doubles over Anna Abadias Morales and Emily Gitman that clinched the doubles point for JMU. She carried that momentum in singles play for a 6-1, 6-2 win over Katya Salas at the No. 6 position that gave the Dukes a 2-0 advantage.
Herrock and Guibe teamed up for the 7-6(5) win over Salas and Brittany Boys at No. 1 doubles to complete the sweep, their seventh straight win as a pair. The duo then posted a pair of two-set victories to secure JMU's team win, with Herrock dropping Boys 6-4, 6-3 at No. 3 singles and Guibe defeating Gaby Rosales 6-4, 6-2 at No. 2 singles.
The doubles sweep was started by freshmen Emma Petersenand Bella Heidenreich, who downed Rosales and Ana Ramirez 6-4 at the No. 2 position.
JMU returns to Hillside Courts for the final two matches of the regular season. The Dukes face Drexel on Saturday, April 16 for their last Colonial Athletic Association bout and wrap up against VCU on Sunday, April 17 in their regular-season finale.
QUOTING HEAD COACH JAMES BRYCE
"Today was probably the toughest day to play tennis with the wind. The team did a great job staying focused and playing to their strengths. Richmond is a very good team and tested us from top to bottom. We have a busy week coming up as we look to close the regular season on a positive note."
GREAT HEIGHTS
JMU claimed its 15th victory of the season on Monday with the win at Richmond. This marks the Dukes' highest single-season win total since going 20-4 during the 1989-90 season.
FULL RESULTS Doubles (2,3*,1)
Guibe/Herrock def. Boys/Salas 7-6(5)
Petersen/Heidenreich def. Rosales/Ramirez 6-4
Nelson/Harris def. Abadias/Emily Gitman 7-5
Singles (6,5,3,2*)
Rachel Nelson vs. Anna Abadias Morales 4-6, 5-5 unf.
UP NEXT
JMU wraps up the 2015-16 regular season with a pair of home matches this weekend. The Dukes host Drexel in their final CAA contest on Saturday, April 16 at noon before concluding the regular season with VCU on Sunday, April 17 at 1 p.m.