PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The Wilmington University women's tennis team remained red hot to start the 2021 fall season, defeating Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference preseason favorite Jefferson, 6-1, on Saturday at the Salaman Tennis Courts.
In a battle of the top two teams in the CACC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Wildcats came out and won all three doubles matches for the point and then five of the six singles matches to remain unbeaten in dual matches, improving to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the CACC.
Marley Trifunovic and Valentina Ivankovic started the Wildcats off with a 6-3 win at No. 2 doubles and then Neus Ramos Moreno and Jess Purdy gave the Wildcats the doubles point with a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles. Fenna Swaan and Larize Nel found themselves in a battle at No. 3 doubles, but made it a clean sweep by winning in the tiebreaker, 7-6 (9-7).
Trifunovic was off to a great start at No. 5 singles, winning the opening set, 6-3, and leading 3-0 in the second set before winning by retirement. Larize Nel was in the same situation at No. 6 singles, winning 6-2 in the first set and leading 4-0 in the second before winning by retirement.
Jess Purdy only lost a combined three games on the day after winning at No. 2 singles, 6-0 and 6-2, capturing the match for the Wildcats, 4-0. Neus Ramos Moreno came from behind at No. 1 singles to win, dropping the first set, 3-6, but battling back to win 6-1 and the third set tiebreak, 10-7, for the Wildcats fifth point.
Valentina Ivankovic kept the ball rolling for the Wildcats at No. 4 single, winning 6-3 and 6-4. Jefferson was able to get on the board at No. 3 singles, as Nicole Hrbkova defeated Begona Gomar in a third set tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-4), 1-6 (12-10).
After two matches on the road, the Wildcats return home for their next match, as they host Dominican on Tuesday afternoon at the Delcastle Tennis Center. The first serve is set for 3:00 p.m.