Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved.
NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's tennis team is preparing for its first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament in its inaugural season, earning the number two seed for semifinals on Saturday, hosted by Chestnut Hill College.
The Wildcats will face No. 3 Post in the semifinal on Saturday with an approximate start time of 1:00 p.m.
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Online Digital Program
Live Stream Broadcast (two camera options)
Scouting No. 2 Wilmington University Wildcats:
The first year program ended its first fall season with a 7-3 overall record, earning the number two seed with a 6-1 CACC record. The Wildcats produced a pair of individuals on the All-CACC Teams while also getting their coach, Brad Rose, named as the CACC Coach of the Year.
The lineup has not changed all year for the Wildcats, with no disturbance to the formula coming for the postseason.
The lone sophomore, and player with the only collegiate experience prior to this season, Anushka Sathe has been playing at number one singles and number two doubles all year. She is 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the CACC at number one singles, but has played much better than her overall record, routinely facing the opposing team's best player. She has teamed up with Milica Knezevic for number two doubles, going 8-3 overall and 6-1 inside the CACC at that position.
First Team All-CACC performer and freshman Begona Gomar has played at number two singles all season for the Wildcats. She is 9-3 overall in singles matches, going 6-1 against CACC opponents with her lone loss coming to number one seeded Goldey-Beacom. She has teamed up with classmate and Spaniard countrywomen Laura Gil at number one doubles, going 7-5 overall and 5-2 in the CACC.
Second Team All-CACC performer and freshman Laura Gil has occupied number three singles all season for the Wildcats. She went undefeated in singles play against CACC opponents, going 8-3 overall in singles matches on the year. Her two singles losses have come to East Region powers NYIT and Queens.
Freshman Sabrina Blasi-Smith has held onto the number four singles positions all season, going 4-7 overall but all four singles wins have come in the CACC. She is 4-3 in singles play against the CACC, winning each of her last two matches. She has teamed up with Lauren Kiger to play at number three doubles.
Freshman Milica Knezevic has played at number five singles all season, with her only CACC loss coming at the hand of Goldey-Beacom as well. She is 8-4 overall, 6-1 inside the CACC. She has won the past two matches at 6-0 and 6-0, earning the final CACC Rookie of the Week award.
Junior Lauren Kiger rounds out the Wildcats lineup, playing at number six singles for the last seven matches of the season. She has gone 1-6 overall, 1-4 in the CACC with her lone win leading the Wildcats to a 5-4 victory over Chestnut Hill.
Scouting No. 3 Post University Eagles:
The Eagles earned the number three seed after going 8-7 overall and 5-2 in the CACC, only dropping matches to Goldey-Beacom and Wilmington. They placed one person on the All-CACC teams, anchored by their number one singles player Liza Dubrovskaya on the First Team.
Dubrovskaya went 12-3 in singles this year, including 5-2 in CACC matches. She has won her last six matches and nine of the last 10 heading into the conference championship. In doubles, she has teamed with junior Brianna Miah to go 7-7 including a 5-1 record in conference play. Dubrovskaya was named the CACC Rookie of the Year in 2014 and has followed it up with back-to-back First Team All-CACC nods.
Madison Young has played 14 matches at number two singles, going 6-8 while going 4-6 in her last 10 matches. Brianna Miah has played the most at number three singles, going 5-8 overall, 3-4 in the CACC. She has gone 5-5 in the last 10 matches. Natasha Siku has played 12 matches at number four singles, going 8-4 overall and 5-2 in the CACC. She is 6-4 in her last 10 matches. Jessica Bergen has the most experience at number five singles, going 4-9 overall, 3-4 in the CACC. Sarah Namazi is 10-2 at number six singles, going 6-1 in the CACC on the year.
Siku and Young have played the most at number two doubles, going 5-5 overall but 4-1 in the CACC. Bergen and Namazi have 11 matches at number three doubles, going 7-4 overall and 4-1 in the CACC.
Regular Season Matchup Boxscore:
The Wildcats took the regular season matchup, 5-4, on October 9 at the Hockessin Indoor facility. The Wildcats took first and second doubles before winning at number two, three, and five singles.
2016 CACC Women's Tennis Tournament Schedule:
Tuesday, October 18:
#4 USciences def. #5 Philadelphia, 5-1
Saturday, October 22:
10:00 a.m. - #1 Goldey-Beacom vs. #4 USciences
1:00 p.m. - #2 Wilmington vs. #3 Post
Sunday, October 23:
1:00 p.m. – Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2