WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The University of Richmond women’s tennis team made waves on Saturday, defeating William & Mary 5-2 at the Mackesy Tennis Center. This victory marked their first win against the Tribe since April 2023, bringing their record to 9-6, while William & Mary fell to 13-3.
In doubles, Richmond seized the early lead by winning on courts one and three. Lara Bakhaya and Andrea Campodonico took the first match convincingly at 6-2. Although William & Mary managed to win on court two, the Spiders clinched the doubles point thanks to Claire Le Du and Lainey O’Neil’s narrow win of 7-6, showcasing their tenacity in a tightly contested match.
The singles matches highlighted Richmond’s strength and depth. Le Du quickly added a second point for the Spiders with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Francesca Davis. Elizabeth Novak followed suit, defeating Mira Kernagis 6-1, 6-3. Although the Tribe secured a point at No. 1 singles, Bakhaya restored Richmond’s lead with a comeback victory of 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. Andrea Campodonico rounded out the match with a hard-fought win over Alessandra Anghel, while William & Mary managed a final point on court six.
This success reflects a growing trend in women’s college tennis, where competitive parity is on the rise. According to a recent NCAA report, the number of programs and participation in women’s tennis has increased significantly over the past decade. More young athletes are getting the opportunity to showcase their skills at the collegiate level, leading to more exciting and unpredictable matches.
Moving forward, the Spiders have a busy schedule ahead. They will face Delaware on Sunday and prepare for a pivotal Atlantic 10 match against fierce rival VCU on April 10. Fans can expect thrilling tennis as college teams vie for top rankings, making every match critical in the lead-up to postseason play.
As women’s sports continue to gain visibility and appreciation, Richmond’s triumph serves as a reminder of the dedication and talent within college athletics. Keep an eye on their progress as they strive for excellence in upcoming matches.
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