“Today was a tough, exhausting match,” said head coach Adam Reeb. “We hung tough in doubles and played aggressive tennis at the end, taking the point which was promising. Unfortunately in singles, we couldn’t come up with the same execution. I thought we didn’t quite play aggressive enough or inside the baseline enough in singles like we did at the end of doubles. It’s a process, though, and that’s something we’ll do better moving forward. I give credit to UMKC for coming through with the win. I’m super proud of the girls’ efforts and we’ll look to come back strong against Grand Canyon in the morning.”
Down 1-0 in doubles, the Redhawks won the final two matches to earn the first point and take a 1-0 lead into singles.
After UMKC tied the match with a win in No. 5 singles, Kristen James (Lubbock, Texas) regained the Redhawk lead, 2-1, with a straight sets victory in the No. 6 spot.
The ‘Roos followed with two straight wins at No. 2 and No. 4 to gain their first lead, 3-2, before Michelle Lui (Bellevue, Wash.) earned a three-set victory at No. 1 singles to tie the match, 3-all. Madison Maloney (Idaho Falls, Idaho) took UMKC’s Marina Albert to three sets in the No. 3 match but the ‘Roos would ultimately be victorious, clinching the final point with a win.
Seattle U closes the weekend with a match vs. Grand Canyon on Sunday, Mar. 20 at 9 a.m. PT.