Dukes Race Past Xavier and Sacred Heart, Move to 11-0

Wednesday, March 7

Orlando, Fla.

8 a.m.

James Madison University

Xavier

3/7/2018 5:41:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

ORLANDO, Fla. – James Madison women's tennis lost only one point on its way to two comprehensive victories over Xavier, 5-1, and Sacred Heart, 7-0, on Wednesday.

The victories moved JMU to 11-0 (1-0 CAA) on the year, marking the program's best start in the last 13 years. JMU began the 2004-05 season with a 10-1 record.

Match 1: JMU 5, Xavier 1
With rain delaying the start of the match, the teams chose to forgo the doubles portion of the match.

Junior Emma Petersen and senior Kimmy Herrock got the Dukes off to a great start with decisive wins at No. 4 and No. 6 singles, respectively (6-2, 6-0 and 6-2, 6-3).

Down 2-0, Xavier's Ahmeir Kyle defeated sophomore Jona Roka at the No. 1 position to claim the Musketeer's first point of the match and cut the JMU lead in half.

At No. 3 singles, freshman Anna Makarova won a back-and-forth match (6-4, 1-6, 6-2) to bring the Dukes to the brink of victory with a 3-1 advantage.

Then, at No. 2 singles, freshman Liz Norman defeated Xavier's Sophia Abelson in come-from-behind fashion (5-7, 6-4, 6-2) to clinch the match for the Dukes. Norman's victory marked the fourth time this season she has clinched match point for JMU.

RESULTS
Doubles: N/A

Singles: (4, 6, 1, 3, 2*, 5)

Ahmeir Kyle def. Jona Roka 6-2, 1-6, 6-2
Liz Norman def. Sophia Abelson 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
Anna Makarova def. Lauren Ghidotti 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
Emma Petersen def. Rachael Reichenbach 6-2, 6-0
Diane Flament def. Elizabeth Bagerbaseh 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
Kimmy Herrock def. Lauren Fitz-Randolph 6-2, 6-3

Match 2: JMU 7, Sacred Heart 0
In the afternoon match against Sacred Heart, the Dukes started quickly by earning the doubles point for the early 1-0 lead. Roka and senior Dylan Owens cruised to a 6-2 victory at No. 2 doubles, while Peterson and freshman Michaela Kluska clinched the point with a 6-2 win of their own at No. 3.

In singles, JMU quickly dispatched the Pioneers with victories from Herrock (6-0, 6-0) at No. 4 singles, Norman (6-1, 6-2) at No. 2 and Kluska, who clinched match point at the No. 5 position (6-2, 6-2).

The Dukes finished off the afternoon with singles wins from Petersen (6-2, 6-2), Roka (6-4, 6-4) and Owens (7-6(5), 6-1) to complete the 7-0 sweep.

RESULTS
Doubles: (2, 3*, 1)

Norman/Flament def. Lauria/Podsiebierski 6-4
Roka/Owens def. Tobia/Navarro 6-2
Petersen/Kluska def. Alfonso/Crivei 6-2

Singles: (4, 2, 5*, 3, 1, 6)

Jona Roka def. Brianne Lauria 6-4, 6-4
Liz Norman def. Olivia Podsiebierski 6-1, 6-2
Emma Petersen def. Keira Tobia 6-2, 6-2
Kimmy Herrock def. Adrianne Alfonso 6-0, 6-0
Michaela Kluska def. Sabrina Navarro 6-2, 6-2
Dylan Owens def. Laura Crivei 7-6(5), 6-1

QUOTING HEAD COACH JAMES BRYCE
"Today was great to adjust to outside conditions. The team did a good job in our opening match, focusing on staying positive during the tight moments and committing to their strengths. Xavier battled hard and I'm proud of our efforts. In our afternoon match, we had to focus on starting well which set us up for the remainder of the match. The team is working hard and it's paying off with the results. UNF will be a tough match and we have to expect their best on Friday."

UP NEXT
JMU will travel to Jacksonville, Fla. for matchups with North Florida and Savannah State on Friday, March 9.