William and Mary endured an up-and-down weekend, with the two squads playing three matches in two days. The women were victorious against Brigham Young Saturday but were defeated by No. 10 Texas Tech. The men fell to No. 44 Penn State this weekend, ending their six-match winning streak.
The women (6-4, 1-0 CAA) travelled to Lubbock, Texas for a weekend doubleheader, beginning proceedings against the Cougars (1-6). The College won two of the three doubles matches, taking the early 1-0 lead. The singles matches were split evenly, and with the final match still in contention, the score was tied at three. Senior Julia Casselbury, who helped the Tribe win the doubles point, came from behind to defeat Brigham Young’s Savannah Ware, earning a nail-biting victory for the College.
Senior Julia Casselbury, who helped the Tribe win the doubles point, came from behind to defeat Brigham Young’s Savannah Ware, earning a nail-biting victory for the College.
On Sunday, the women suffered a 6-1 loss to hosts Texas Tech (11-1). Freshman Lauren Goodman, playing the third singles match, claimed the only victory for the Tribe that day. No. 80 ranked Gabriel Tabala carried the Red Raiders to victory, as she beat the College’s No. 85-ranked senior Elizaveta Nemchinov in the top singles match, and led the way as Texas Tech won two of three doubles matches as well.
The doubles wins, followed by the bottom two singles matches, gave the Red Raiders a 3-0 lead over the Tribe. Goodman was able to post a point for the College with her 6-4, 6-2 victory, but the Red Raiders swept the rest of the way.
Juniors Aidan Talcott and Damon Niquet were able to grab two points for the College, but their victories were moot, as the Tribe fell 5-2 in Pennsylvania.
The men put a lengthy winning streak on the line as they travelled up north to face the nationally-ranked Nittany Lions. The meet, held at University Park, started with Penn State taking the two doubles matches. The 1-0 lead grew to 3-0 as sophomore Christian Cargill lost his six-game winning streak to No. 47 Leo Stakhovsky. Juniors Aidan Talcott and Damon Niquet were able to grab two points for the College, but their victories were moot, as the Tribe fell 5-2 in Pennsylvania.
Both the men’s and women’s teams will now return home to Williamsburg. The women must prepare for a doubleheader weekend against Harvard and Liberty, while the men — who have won six in a row at home — will play a single match against Bucknell Sunday.
