[slideshow id=31]

Team too strong, routes opponents 7-0 at home match

The tennis team (5-2) dominated the courts at Heard Stadium against the University of Texas Pan-American on Friday winning 7-0.

The team started the season on a four match win streak, but lost its last two against Southeastern Conference opponents Auburn and Mississippi State.

“This is good to get the momentum back and help move on,” head coach Terrence De Jongh said.

The match against Texas Pan-American was concluded by freshman Silvia Tumova’s singles victory. Tumova won an emotional singles match in three sets.

Tumova said, “I didn’t play my game and I didn’t feel comfortable on the court.” She said, “But this match shows I can win even when I don’t play my game.”

Tumova lost in the first set to Malin Anderson 7-5, but responded in the final two winning 6-2 and 10-4.

De Jongh said, “She should have handled it in the first set, it was a pure lack of focus there.”

Tumova used her native language Slovak to pump herself up and help regain focus. It worked for her.

She said, “I was cheering myself in my language when I would hit the ball wrong.”

Tumova was the only Warhawk to get a challenge for the day, as the rest of the team swept their opponents in both singles and doubles play.

Also in singles play, senior Vivian Polak swept her opponent. Polak did not even give up any points to her opponent as she won both sets 6-0.

Senior Monica Winkel said, “It’s good for our self confidence. It’s good everybody won.”

Redshirt freshman Sophie Rufyikiri also dominated her opponent at singles play. Rufyikiri won in two sets 6-0 and 6-1.

Winkel said, “Now we just have to keep rolling.”

Winkel and junior Medy Blankvoort easily won their doubles match 8-1.

For the Warhawks, the closest battle in doubles play was an 8-3 win for senior Vivian Polak and Ema Turudija.

The Warhawks play their next three matches at Heard Stadium and are looking to turn this one victory into a streak of wins.

Winkel said, “We are just going to beat them.”

De Jongh said, “Every win obviously is important and it helps us.”

The team hosts Northwestern State at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Arkansas State at 1 p.m. on Friday.