The Slippery Rock University tennis team ended their season on Sunday by falling to California University of Pennsylvania, the no. 12 ranked team in the country, 9-0.
The loss ends the Rock’s season at 10-11, which is the team’s first losing season since the 2004-2005 campaign when they went 6-11.
Even though the season ended before he would have liked it, head coach Matt Meredith still considers this season a success.
“We have made a lot of progress this year,” Meredith said.
Cal dominated the Green and White from start to finish, not losing more than five games in any single match.
SRU’s best chance at a win came in number one doubles where freshmen Carla Corrochano Moracho and Nina Barbano lost an 8-4 decision.
Sophomores Stephanie Fortier and Kylee Woodman lost at number two doubles and freshman Ana Petrovic and sophomore Emily Munson lost at third doubles, both by scores of 8-0.
Things didn’t get any better in the singles matches for the Rock. Corrochano Moracho lost to the number 23 ranked player in the country, Kiefer Shaw, 6-3 and 6-2 at number one singles.
Barbano lost by a similar score in second singles, 6-2 and 6-3.
The two losses ended her personal seven game winning streak. Petrovic and Fortier lost identical 6-1 and 6-2 matches at third and fourth singles, respectively.
While Woodman lost just her second singles match of the year, 6-1 and 6-1, in the number five slot.
Rounding out the day freshman Amanda Neidig, making her first appearance of the year, lost 6-0 and 6-0 at number six singles.
Despite the losing season, there were many bright spots for the SRU tennis team this year.
Barbano led the team in singles wins, going 15-8, which included a seven game winning streak.
Corrochano Moracho also hit double digits in wins with 10, while Fortier ended the year with nine singles wins.
Woodman ended the season 5-2, winning her first five matches after returning from shoulder surgery.
In doubles play, the number one team of Corrochano Moracho and Barbano ended the year with a mark of 10-13.
The Rock ended the season in fourth place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western division, despite having one of the youngest teams in the conference.
Meredith is looking forward to next season and what’s in store for the Rock.
“I’m excited,” Meredith said. “I told the team not to accept this. We are usually not in this position. We will be back and ready next year.”
