Women's tennis team beat Binghamton University 5-0

The Spiders women's tennis team won 5-0 against the Binghamton University Bearcats on Wednesday.

Before the match, head coach Mark Wesselink said competing against the Bearcats would be a good test because the team had always had a strong program and were well coached.

Despite the Bearcats' presumed toughness and the cold weather, the Spiders quickly secured both doubles points with wins by sophomore Melissa Kandinata and freshman Katya Salas and the freshman duo Anna Abadias and Emily Gitman.

"I think [the doubles win] was a combination of us playing well and being able to pressure them to miss a lot of shots," Kandinata said of her match with Salas.

In singles play, senior Alex Smyth, freshman Emily Gitman, Kandinata and Salas finished out the match for a Spider overall win.

Smyth, who won her singles match 6-0, 6-0, said the young team was improving a lot, specifically in doubles.

In general, it is important to win doubles matches as quickly as possible to get the points because it keeps the positive momentum going, she said.

Smyth and partner Elizabeth Sims have played four matches together and said they were still working on getting comfortable with each other.

"Those two contribute points and leadership that can't be replaced," Wesselink said. "With them on the court, it gives our younger players a nice boost and takes some pressure off."

Gitman won her singles match 6-1, 6-2, and Salas won her second match in a row 6-1, 6-1.

The freshmen have been able to witness the tough competition in Division I college tennis, which will benefit them as they continue playing, Wesselink said.

The Spiders still need more match play to solidify the doubles teams and to gain confidence for the A-10 Tournament, but are getting stronger every match, he said.

The team is now 5-10 on the season and will play its next match away against James Madison University tomorrow.

"Everyone is picking it up and just in time as JMU is strong this year," Wesselink said.

Contact reporter Marie Jayme at marie.jayme@richmond.edu