Tennis Stays Above the Net

The Eastern University women’s tennis team  (EUWT) has gone undefeated since their spring break trip to Florida. For the spring season, the Eagles stand with an impressive record of 8-2 as of Friday, Apr. 15. Two of the most notable victories for EUWT were their shutouts against Cairn University on Apr. 6 and Lancaster Bible College on Apr. 12.

Freshman Emma Paugh (7-3) has made a name for herself on the Eagles as the first singles player. Against Cairn, Paugh secured her match in just two sets with scores of 6-0 and 6-2. While winning is certainly more her style, Paugh has also shown that she can handle the pressure of playing from behind. In a match against FDU-Florham on Apr. 11, Paugh lost the first set with a score of 2-6; however, she was able to keep her composure and secure the second set with a 6-2 win, and then won the tie-breaker 10-2.

In doubles, Paugh and Amanda Riiff compete as the second doubles pair. Paugh and Riiff have gone 8-0 for the year. Sophomore Kelly Archibald stands as the second singles player on the EU roster and has an overall record of 7-3.

On Apr. 14, the Eagles shut out Cabrini College at home. Archibald and her doubles partner Laura Thomas won their sixth straight match for the Eagles, winning the match 9-7. Riiff won her singles match in

two shut-out sets, going 6-0 in each of them. Riiff is now 6-1 for the season. Paugh and Archibald also won their singles matches for the day. Paugh finished with scores of 6-1 and 6-1, while Archibald ended with scores of 6-2 and 6-3.

On Apr. 16, the Eagles fell to Wilkes University with a score of 1-8. Paugh and Riiff earned the only win for the Eagles in the match, finishing off with a score of 8-6. In singles, Thomas battled through the match, but was unable to come out on top. She ultimately fell to the Colonels with scores of 7-5 and 6-2.

On Thursday, Apr. 21 the Eagles will match up against the Blazers of Hood College. The Blazers stand with an overall record of 7-6, and will enter the match against the Eagles with a two-game winning streak with wins against Lycoming and Messiah. Coming off of a loss against Wilkes, the Eagles will have to recuperate and prepare for Hood to come out strong. The match will be competitive, but it is predicted that the Eagles will pull ahead and win the match 5-4.