Tennis triumphs at home

The UNCP women’s tennis team won their home opener against the Fayetteville State Broncos 5-4 on Feb. 15.            

The decisive win was scored by No. 4 singles player Gabrielle Vrana who won her match against Shayla Watson 6-3, 6-2.

Vrana had to wait through a 45-minute darkness delay to win the final four games.

Difficult conditions

The elements played a serious factor as cold temperatures and biting winds were prevalent throughout the match.            

“Really, it just comes down to mental toughness and being focused,” said Robin Langley, head coach of the UNCP women’s tennis team.

In No. 1 singles, Braves player Stacey Wood had to retire in her match against Ines Nieves at 6-7(4-7), 0-4 in the second set due to leg cramps, according to Langley.            
           
Wood fought back from 2-5 down in the first set to force the tiebreak, but the long, physical rallies eventually caused the cramping that ended the match.

The Braves No. 2 singles player Natalie Dies won her match 6-0, 6-3 against Constance Lee while Wood was still playing in the epic first set of her match.            
           
The Braves No. 3 singles Ivana Music’ also won her match 6-2, 6-0 versus LeJacquelyn Artis.

Earlier in doubles play, Langley made the decision to split up the normal top doubles team of Wood and Dies.            
           
The lineup for the Braves was changed with No. 1 doubles as Wood/Music’ and No.2 being Dies/Vrana.

The shift in doubles worked as Wood/Music’ defeated Nieves/Artis 8-2 and Dies/Vrana defeated Watson/Lee 8-2.