By Devon Balent Staff writer
The Susquehanna women’s tennis team competed at the King’s College Invitational on Sept. 10 and Sept. 11. It was the first competition for the team this season.
New and returning members played in the tournament in both singles and doubles events.
Freshman Amy Jennings made her debut in a very impressive manner. She battled both days and won her way to the final round of her singles tournament.
Playing in the 7-8 singles spot, Jennings defeated Misericordia sophomore Courtney Portaro two sets to one.
She then moved on to face Marywood sophomore Elaina Menuchelli and won by the same outcome.
In the final, Jennings faced sophomore Devin Zombek from Marywood, falling 6-2, 5-7, 5-10.
Despite the defeat, Jennings’ achievement did not go unnoticed, as she was awarded the Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week award for women’s tennis.
“It is exciting to see a freshman do that well,” Coach Alison Carney said. “Good for Landmark to give her that award.”
Senior Megan Rudloff and sophomore Eliza Griffen were the No. 2 doubles team, who were followed by No. 3 team of junior Julia Spear and Jennings. The No. 4 doubles team consisted of senior Amanda Constantino and sophomore Cassey Fox.
Rudloff and Griffen along with the Spear and Jennings duo made it past their semifinals. But both lost to Misericordia in their finals 9-7 and 8-3 respectively. The Fox and Constantino team also made it to the finals, losing 8-5 to Marywood.
The invitational does not count in terms of team results, but it gives a picture of what the Susquehanna women’s tennis will bring this season.
“It was a great opportunity to get some match play,” Carney said about the invitational.
Last year, Susquehanna had two individuals advance to the final in their seed, in Griffen and freshman Abbey Ransom.
The women’s tennis team is looking to improve upon a 6-11 season from last year, when they struggled in conference play, winning two out of five games.
Seniors Constantino and Alyssa Fleischman look to help build a relatively young program, which includes three sophomores and one freshman.
With the promise that young players like Jennings and Fox bring to the program on top of the senior talent possessed by Constantinio and Fleischman, expectations are set high.
The women’s tennis team is back in action Wednesday, Sept. 21 when it hosts Lycoming at 4 p.m.