For Immediate Release – 4/23/16 - #326
Senior Day Comeback Not in the Cards for the WildCats
LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College women's tennis team hosted Lynchburg College on Saturday in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) match. After falling behind, the 'Cats made a great comeback, but fell 5-4 on Senior Day. Prior to the match, Randolph honored its two seniors – Dina Velazco and Emmalyn Snead – along with the two seniors on the men's team.
The WildCats used the same pairs in doubles that they used on Friday night. As always, Velazco and Jenna Sweet started things off at number one. The two played very well and took down their opposition in only nine total games (8-1). Snead played with Alex Wieczorek for the second-straight day. The two had a great showing but fell after taking three games. The third spot saw Shelby Lutz and Samantha Dickerson team once again. The 'Cats played a tough team but dropped the match after taking two games.
Singles followed with Randolph down 2-1. However, the team made a valiant comeback. Velazco stepped up in her final match and was outstanding. She showed why she has been so important, handling her opponent and giving up only a single game over the two set victory. Snead was even more dominant in her final match. She stepped in as the number three, a spot she took over late in the year, and swept her counterpart, 6-0, 6-0.
However, the Hornets fought back in number two, four, and five. Sweet played a very tough first set, before falling in a tiebreak. She dropped the second set, giving LC the win in that spot. Dickerson played at four and dropped the first set, but came back very strong in the second. She won four games, but the Lynchburg player pulled out the victory. Wieczorek played tough at five but fell in two sets, to give Lynchburg the overall win.
Lutz was the last match to finish during the day. She played very well at number six and had all of the players coming over to support her during her match. She fought and took her opponent down by a score of 6-3, 6-2.
Randolph (9-9 overall, 1-9 ODAC) finishes its season with today's match. Snead ends her career with 28 total victories in only two years, while Velazco goes down as arguably one of the greatest players in program history. Over her four years, she won 77 total matches, and holds the record for most doubles wins with 40.
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