FAY DELIVERS CLUTCH WIN TO LIFT WOMEN’S TENNIS OVER AUGUSTANA

ORLANDO, Fla. – Tied at 4 with one match to go, freshman Taylor Fay put up the match-clinching point with her win at No. 5 singles to propel the Radford women's tennis team to a 5-4 triumph over Augustana (SD) Wednesday afternoon at the Lake Cane Tennis Center.

The tandem of Gemma Valls and Fay got the Highlanders (3-7) on the board first by topping Jenna Helleberg and Heather Sullivan, 8-2, at No. 3 doubles. However, the Vikings (11-2) recorded wins at the first and second flights to seize a 2-1 edge heading into singles play.

After winning her match yesterday (6-2, 6-2), Newman prevailed at No. 2 singles by the same score Wednesday against Jessa Richards. Allison Michael put Radford on top, 3-2, as the freshman won (6-1, 6-3) for the second straight day on court six.

Meg Napolitano extended the Highlanders' advantage to 4-2 following her 7-6, 6-1 victory over Hannah Gebauer in the fourth slot. The sophomore has won five consecutive matches and moves to 6-4 on the season.

Augustana refused to go away easily as it posted wins on courts one and three to even the dual at 4-all.

The fate of a Radford victory rested on the racquet of Fay as she was battling Sullivan at No. 5 singles. With the other matches completed, a gallery formed around the court for the deciding match. The Madison, Conn. native calmly handled the pressure as the freshman outlasted her opponent (6-2, 6-7 (11-9)) to lift the Highlanders to their second triumph in as many days.

RU is currently competing against Fordham in its third match of the squad's spring break trip to Florida.

Radford vs. Augustana (SD)
Lake Cane Tennis Center (Orlando, Fla.)
Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Doubles Competition
1. Katie Jesperson / Michelle Wadas (AUG) def. Taylor Newman / Meg Napolitano (RU), 8-6
2. Hannah Gebauer / Jessa Richards (AUG) def. Hana Babic / Allison Michael (RU), 8-5
3. Gemma Valls / Taylor Fay (RU) def. Jenna Helleberg / Heather Sullivan (AUG), 8-2

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1

Singles Competition
1. Katie Jesperson (AUG) def. Gemma Valls (RU), 3-6, 6-4 (10-8)
2. Taylor Newman (RU) def. Jessa Richards (AUG), 6-2, 6-2
3. Michelle Wadas (AUG) def. Hana Babic (RU), 4-6, 7-5 (10-5)
4. Meg Napolitano (RU) def. Hannah Gebauer (AUG), 7-6, 6-1
5. Taylor Fay (RU) def. Heather Sullivan (AUG), 6-2, 6-7 (11-9)
6. Allison Michael (RU) def. Jenna Helleberg (AUG), 6-1, 6-3

Order of finish: 2, 6, 4, 1, 3, 5

Match Notes
Augustana (SD) (11-2)
Radford (3-7)
The Vikings are ranked No. 5 in the Central Region of Division II

Print Friendly Version