Golden Bears Edged by Wisconsin-Superior in Spring Opener, 5-4

LaPress & Schrader post wins in both singles and doubles play

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 17, 2019) – The Western New England University women's tennis team dropped a close 5-4 decision to the University of Wisconsin-Superior on Sunday at Lake Cane Tennis Center.

The Golden Bears faced a 2-1 deficit at the conclusion of doubles play with Western New England's win coming at the top flight, where junior Morgan Schrader (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) and sophomore Maylene LaPress (Bedford, N.H.) registered an 8-2 result over Mariah Linder and Taylor Kane.

In the other two doubles matches, the duo of Megan Dulong and Maya Callaway topped senior Petra Martinelli (Vernon, Conn.) and sophomore Kyra Palumbo (Albany, N.Y.) 8-3 at No. 2, while Alison Tollas and Charlotte Zangs earned an 8-6 win over junior Rachel Bauer (Palmer, Mass.) and sophomore Jessica Cote (Groton, Conn.) at No. 3.

Western New England and Wisconsin-Superior split the six singles matchups, giving the Yellow Jackets a 5-4 victory.

LaPress and Schrader followed up their doubles triumph with singles victories, as LaPress picked up a 6-1, 6-3 win over Dulong at No. 1, and Schrader defeated Tollas 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2.

Wisconsin-Superior took the No. 3 and No. 4 spots, courtesy of Emily Wald (6-2, 6-0 over P. Martinelli) and Callaway (6-3, 6-0 over Cote), respectively, while Bauer rallied to claim a 5-7, 6-4, 10-6 result over Mariah Linder at No. 5.

In the final singles matchup, Kitana Honkola registered a 6-1, 1-6, 10-8 triumph over Janet Martinelli (Vernon, Conn.).

Up Next
Western New England (2-8) plays two more matches in Florida, beginning with Tuesday's contest against State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.