In Lady Rams action, WSSU was able to also maintain control from beginning to end, with two underclassmen establishing the momentum.
Freshman Sloane Holmes defeated Brittany Craig 6-3, 6-1, followed by a 6-2, 6-2 victory from freshman Kayla Carter over Teddi Russell.
Freshman Johanna Nunez had the strongest win of the day in singles turning in 6-1, 6-0 wins over Erika Acosta.
“I was consistent hitting the ball and I kept my feet moving,” Nunez said.
“I had a lot of power with my serves, especially hitting them hard in the corners. I aced the ball and she was unable to hit the ball back to me.”
Freshman Kalin Jarvis was forced into a tiebreaker, after being dropped 6-2 by WVSU’s Eben Russell. Jarvis retaliated with triumphant 6-2, 10-7 performances.
Freshman Chelsea Chatman closed out the singles matches with 6-3, 6-2 wins over Meghan Stewart.
In doubles, Holmes and Locklear began with a victory over Russell and Acosta 9-7.
Carter and Jarvis prevailed 8-6 defeating Russell and Craig.
Bowlin and Stewart of WVSU surpassed Chatman and Nunez in an 8-6 match; however, the Lady Rams won the point because of victories in two of the three matches in doubles.
“I used some reverse psychology and told them that if they didn’t come prepared, they would be embarrassed,” Schoderbek said.
“I think that they [WSSU] came prepared and saw that they could win, and that motivated them even more. Both teams really hung in there, but they [WSSU] remained focused and came out with the victory.”
The Lady Rams advanced to five wins on the season, and WVSU fell to a 3-4 record.
“I think that they [WSSU] came prepared and saw that little bit of it [the victories] was due to the level of competition,” Schoderbek said.
“They’re [WVSU] Division II. We’re pretty strong in Division II.”