On September 7th and 8th, the Slippery Rock University women’s tennis team traveled to Ohio to take part in the Oberlin Invitational. The event featured some of the best women’s tennis players around the area from Division II and III schools.
The team kicked off the fall season with several strong performances in both singles and doubles competition.
Several Rock athletes finished with a perfect 3-0 record in singles play with others putting up strong performances as well.
Senior Viola Lugmayr posted an impressive 3-0 singles record. She bested Indiana’s Laura Dunrova (6-1, 6-0), Case Western’s Maddie Paolucci (6-2, 6-2) and Savannah Bright (7-5, 6-2).
Junior Amy Varackette also had a great competition, posting a 3-0 singles record. Varackette defeated Allegheny’s Ella Swan (6-0, 6-0), Grove City’s Maddie Reed (6-3, 6-1) and Ohio Northern’s Katie Curry (6-0, 6-0).
Freshman Pia Bruckmayer had a similarly perfect weekend going 3-0 in singles competition. Bruckmayer picked up wins against John Carroll’s Megan Reese (6-0, 6-1), Case Western’s Sneha Karnam (6-2, 6-1) and Isabelle Olaes of Oberlin (6-4, 6-0).
Sophomore Lois Page was able to bounce back from a tough loss to Joanna Stralka (6-2, 6-4) by defeating Case Western’s Shreaa Mukund (6-1, 6-1) and Indiana’s Maria Mangrner (6-1, 6-1).
Senior Lacy Cohen had a strong showing going 2-1 in singles competition. The junior defeated Oberlin’s Dina Nouame (6-2, 6-1) and Walsh’s Mercedes Fernandez (6-2, 6-3). She dropped her third match to Case Western’s Trish Sundaram (6-2, 6-1).
Freshman Lindsey Fadden finished the weekend with a 1-2 singles record. The freshman achieved her first collegiate win against Ohio Northern’s Mackenzie Mills (6-3, 6-3). Fadden was bested by Shreyaa Mukund of Case Western (6-0, 6-0) and Katie Marks of Allegheny (6-0, 6-4).
Junior Lauren Fadden came away with an even record on the weekend defeating Rupika Pendyola of Case Western (6-4, 2-6, 10-6). She dropped a match to Indiana’s Mariana Valenzuela (2-6, 7-6, 10-6).
The Rock saw a lot of success in doubles competition as well with many pairings coming away with victories.
Lauren Fadden and Lacey Cohen ended up with a solid 2-1 record in doubles play. The pair defeated Indiana’s Valenzuela and Dunarova (8-6) and Oberlin’s Black and Nouame (8-0). They were bested by Indiana’s Mangrner and Androtti (8-6).
Viola Lugmayr and Lois Page found similar success finishing the weekend with a 2-1 record. The two defeated Black and Nouame (8-4) and Newman and Stralka (8-5). However, they weren’t able to find success against Case Western’s Cardwell and Sundaram (8-6).
Amy Varckette found success with partners Lindsey Fadden and Pia Bruckmayer picking up a doubles win with each of them.
Lindsey Fadden and Bruckmayer defeated Walsh’s Drasch and Karimpour (8-7) to conclude the Rock’s match play at the Invitational.
The team hosted an Alumni Day on September 14th before select members from the team headed off to the ITA Atlantic Regional Championships on September 21st.
