NOTRE DAME, Indiana — The University of Notre Dame women’s tennis team swept a doubleheader with Michigan State and Wright State on Saturday at the Eck Tennis Pavilion. The Irish defeated the Spartans, 4-0, in the morning session before taking a 7-0 win over the Raiders in the evening.
How It Happened – Michigan State
Notre Dame took a hotly contested doubles point to open the match. Zoe Taylor and Ally Bojczuk defeated Lauren Lemonds and Davina Nguyen, 6-3, before Zoe Spence and Brooke Broda pulled away for a 6-4 decision on court two over Samantha Memije and Nicole Stephens. The match was important as it was 6-5 on court one between Bess Waldram and Cameron Corse.
In singles, Waldram quickly made it 2-0 with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Maja Pietrowicz. Broda followed with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Stephens and Bojczuk clinched the match with a 6-4, 6-4 win at number two singles over Lemonds.
How It Happened – Wright State
After an afternoon break saw Michigan State defeat Wright State, 7-0, the Irish played another contested doubles point. Waldram and Corse won at the top of the lineup, 6-2 over Madison Riley and Haily Morgan before the freshman duo of Taylor and Maeve Koscielski won at three, 6-4. Spence and Broda held a 5-4 lead in a battle on court two when the point was decided.
Spence cruised to a 6-2, 6-0 win at the top of the lineup to make it 2-0 before Taylor put the Irish on the verge of victory with a 6-2, 6-2 win on court six. Broda clinched the match for the Irish with a 6-2, 6-0 victory at four singles. Corse, Bojczuk and Koscielski all went on to win to close out the day.
Silverio’s Story
Thoughts from head coach Alison Silverio…
On the challenge of doubleheaders…
“Doubleheaders are physically demanding, mentally demanding and overall our team handled it great. We’ve been preparing for it since the fall. The spring is so exciting to go out there week-in and week-out, playing the best competition. Going into, now, our ACC play is exciting. I think today was a great solidification of the work and the preparation we’ve been putting in at both doubles and singles.”
On getting back into ACC play next week…
“Of course it’s always exciting when you’re playing competitors in-conference. We certainly want to approach every match the same and bring that energy no matter what. Being in the ACC, the toughest conference in the nation, there’s a lot on the line every single match. We’re going to get up for it, we’re going to take care of business in practice and in our preparation, but energy has been a big focus for us and topic of conversation. Our players are certainly understanding of how the energy makes such a difference in matches.
“The freshmen have been coming in consistently and really working hard. As a freshman, you’re going through transitions and it’s your first time away from home and you’re learning college life and there are classes and managing that. For Zoe (Taylor) and Maeve (Koscielski), they’ve really done a phenomenal job with the transition. For them to have opportunities to come out and play today and get it done, is wonderful. Ultimately, that’s going to continue to carry our program forward, because as the young ones are learning and doing things the right way, that’s going to keep building our foundation.”
Up Next
The Irish return to ACC play next weekend when Clemson and Syracuse visit the Eck Tennis Pavilion. The Irish take on the Tigers on Friday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m. before hosting the Orange on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m.