MADELYN CONRAD
STAFF WRITER
The Franciscan University of Steubenville women’s tennis team dominated in its first Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference match of the season Thursday, Sept. 12.
The Lady Barons set the tone of the match with their fantastic doubles play. Senior Madelyn Conrad and Junior Ana Victoria Haddad Garcia, both back on the court after fighting injuries, started the evening with an 8-3 doubles victory over their opponents. Freshman duo Estelle Leon and Haley Davinsizer quickly followed suit, defeating their opponents 8-1.
Finishing 8-5 against their opponents, senior Grace Hammel and sophomore Zoey Stapleton left their team with a comfortable 3-0 lead over the Nittany Lions going into the singles portion of the match.
At No. 1 singles, Conrad was the first to add another point to the board for Franciscan with a dominating 6-0, 6-0 sweep over her opponent.
Leon and freshman Caroline Picard were off of their courts quickly after, securing the match for the Lady Barons. Leon, playing at No. 3 singles, showed an impressive performance, winning 6-1, 6-0. On the No. 6 singles court, Picard successfully wrapped up her first conference match as a Lady Baron, winning both sets 6-0.
Stapleton ended with a 6-2, 6-0 victory at No. 5 singles, while Hammel, on the No. 4 singles court, quickly shut out her opponent 6-1, 6-2. Last on the court, Haddad at No. 2 singles, continued her streak of dominant play, defeating her opponent 6-1, 6-1.
Head coach Scott Greve was pleased with the start of the conference season. “It was great to have Madelyn and Ana Victoria back in our lineup. … Our team is strong enough even without them, but they bring leadership and spirit that propels this team to another level,” said Greve.
“Our underclassmen continue to perform strong and really give our lineup that extra boost every coach likes to have,” said Greve. “I couldn’t be prouder of the way these ladies have handled early season adversity and continue to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.”
The Lady Barons tennis team will next play on its home courts Sept. 17 at 3:30 p.m against the University of Mount Union.