April 23, 2005
Results
Orlando, Fla. - Story by Head Coach Doug Wright.
The conference championships in a lot of respects defines the season. Our practice and match schedule is designed to peak at the season ending championships. The progress our teams make throughout the year is obvious when we get the opportunity to face teams for the second time this season.
We made some amazing strides this year. At the MEAC Round up at the start of the season. The tournament officials commented on a daily basis what a positive team spirit our squads possess. But this time we were not just the sportsmanship candidate, we were in striking distance of winning matches.
This year was definitely a rebuilding year, especially the women's team. At the beginning of the fall season we began with a lineup which only included the #6 player returning from last season. Graduation and transfers left our team depleted. We recruited an amazing quality of athlete, but most of them had limited match experience. By the end of the year, our team gave Norfolk State a good match and nearly knocked off higher seeded Delaware State University.
Against Norfolk State in the first round, Our Lady Hawks were over matched against the Spartans. Our #2 and #3 Doubles teams scored early and Haaveshe Sawyer scored against Jennifer Itonyo at #3 singles. Simi Falase won by default with her opponent retiring with a shoulder injury. Our #5 Sashonna Leak and #6 Yamada Dorsey were both in control and appeared to be on their way to a win when their matches were called because the entire match had been mathematically decided. Had the #5 and #6 won for UMES the overall victory for NSU would have been 4-3.
Facing Delaware State the next day UMES's Head Coach, Doug Wright was optimistic.
Our #1 Doubles Team of Simi Falase and Haaveshe Sawyer fell to their top doubles team 8-1. That one game highlighted Simi's improved serve, with every point coming from an ace or a service winner. Their #1 doubles team includes a senior who was named to the "All MEAC" second team. (Janine Jacob from Germany)
Kyndall Chapman was injured with an inflamed wrist and shin splints. So we substituted Yamada Dorsey to play with Ranada Gasque at #2 doubles. This match was a marathon lasting an hour and a half with the Hornets breaking the deadlock 9-7 . The UMES #3 team of Tonaio Swangin and Sashonna Leak won by default since they did not have a #6 player ready to compete.
Simi Falase played one of her best matches of the year against Janine Jacobs. Simi was taking control of points and moving her opponent all over the court. Her excellent foot speed and natural athletic ability were obvious to anyone who saw the match. Unfortunately, Jacob's experienced shot selection was too much for Simi. DSU took the match 6-1, 6-0.
Our #2 player Ranada Gasque took on a very powerful opponent named Carlene Young. Ranada served well and matched Young's groundstroke power most of the day. The DSU player was more consistent and won by making very few unforced errors 6-0, 6-0.
Haaveshe Sawyer faced Erika Green at third singles. Earlier this year Green defeated Sawyer 6-0, 6-2 in Dover. This was going to be a tough assignment for her. But this was al;so going to demonstrate her improvement compared to her opponent. Haaveshe played an excellent match from the start. She came out swinging aggressively from the first ball. Sawyer's power and quickness were evident as she ripped the topspin from the baseline. Our Lady Hawk took the first set 7-5. Green picked up the percentage of her powerful serve in the second set. DSU takes the second 6-2. At this moment our #4 player (Chapman) wins her match, and it becomes obvious that we can take the entire match if Haaveshe and our #5 Shonna Leak can win their matches. Haaveshe gets back on track, holding serve on a regular basis. She surges ahead to take the lead 6-5. Green manages to hold serve after an extremely long ( four deuce ) game. They start the tiebreak for the third set, and possibly the match. Nervous energy is at an all time high. The tiebreak remains close. At one point Saywer is within two points of winning the match. Unfortunately the Del State Player pulls our the win 7-5 in the tiebreak.
Kyndall Chapman picks up her first win at #4 singles this season, in spite multiple injuries. Her serve was steady throughout the match and the quality of her strokes could not be matched by Jennifer Daily this day. UMES takes #4 singles 6-3, 6-4.
Our # 5 singles, Sashonna Leak played an outstanding strategic match. She knew she could outrun and outlast her opponent, so she turned it into a running contest. Seemingly endless rallies and determination were the order of the day. Shonna took the first set 6-2. Yvone Dennis came back to one set all by winning the second set. Unfortunately this match was never completed since the overall match was deceided by the match on the court next to her. Shonna was leading 3-2 an d gaining momenteum. If she wins the overall score would have been 4-3 Del State.
This match is a vivid example of Hawks Tennis this season. We faced tough odds, gained valuable experience, and our talented athletes are improving at an impressive rate. We are very proud of the way our players represent our school, on the court and off. We have a high standard of academics. While athletes are typically portrayed as barely passing, our #3 singles player withdrew in mid year to solidify a 4.0 GPA to help her chances in applying for veterinary school. Two other players on our squad also maintain a 4.0 GPA.
