PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - A come-from-behind three-set victory in the final match of the day saw the Wilmington University women's tennis team earn a season sweep over Jefferson, 4-3, on Thursday afternoon at the Abraham J. Salaman Tennis Courts.
Marley Trifunovic was the difference maker for the Wildcats (5-0, 5-0 CACC) on Thursday, coming back from set down to win at No. 5 singles, 2-6, 7-5, and 6-2, to break the 3-3 tie and give the team victory to the Wildcats. The Wildcats also defeated the Rams (9-2, 4-2 CACC) on September 13, 5-2, to earn the season sweep.
Carmelle Vial and Fenna Swaan have made a home at No. 1 doubles, being the first to finish on Thursday with a win, 6-2. But the Rams fought back and evened the doubles match with a win at No. 3, 6-2. It didn't take long for the Wildcats to earn the doubles point though, as Neus Ramos Moreno and jess Purdy put away the Rams at No. 2, 6-1, to win the doubles point.
Valentina Ivankovic made short work of her opponent at No. 3 singles, 6-1 and 6-0, to put the Wildcats up, 2-0. The Rams got on the board with a win at No. 4 singles but then Neus Ramos Moreno gave the Wildcats their third point with a 6-2 and 7-5 win at No. 1.
Larize Nel won the second set at No. 6 singles, 6-3, to force a third set, but the Rams closed the gap to 3-2, by winning the third set, 6-3. The same heled true for Jess Purdy at No. 2 singles, as she fought back to win the second set, 6-2, to force a third set, but the Rams were able to even the match, 3-3, by winning the third set, 6-3.
All eyes turned to Marley Trifunovic and Nicole Hrbkova at No. 5 singles. Hrbkova won the first set, 6-2, but then Trifunovic came back in the second. Trailing 5-4, Marley Trifunovic won the next three games to win, 7-5, and force a third set. She carried that momentum into the third set, going up 3-0. Hrbkova battled back to within 3-2, but then Trifunovic won the next three games to take the set, 6-3, and the match, 2-1.
With the win, the Wildcats stay atop the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference standings at 5-0 and move their CACC winning streak to 11 straight. The Wildcats head to Post on Sunday to start a string of three matches in four days next week. The first serve against the Eagles is slated for 1:00 p.m.