COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland women's tennis team started off its season on the right foot in split-squad action this weekend.
FRIDAY
The Terps took the court at the 24th Annual Tribe Invitational and got off to an impressive start. After sweeping Dartmouth in three doubles matches, Maryland went on to win all six singles matches against Liberty. With the victories, freshmen Saya Usui and Katsiaryna Yemelyanenka earned their first career doubles and singles victories.
Maryland took to the court later in the day to take two-of-three doubles matches against Penn, which included a gritty victory from Kristina Hovsepyan and Alexandra Stanova.
Back in College Park, Arnelle Sullivan paced the Terps by picking up her first two singles victories of the season. Sullivan, who was named the ITA Atlantic Region Rookie of the Year and the ITA Player to Watch for the Atlantic Region last season, dominated both matches by scores of 6-2, 7-5 and 6-4, 6-2.
Caroline Williams and Olivia Gaudreault lost their singles matches in three sets.
SATURDAY
At the Tribe Invitational on Saturday, Maryland bounced back from dropping a doubles match against host William & Mary to take five-of-six singles matches against West Virginia.
It was an impressive performance from doubles partners Williams and Sullivan at the Bedford Cup on Saturday, as the two sophomores ran away with the doubles tournament and won both matches by a convincing score of 6-1.
Later in the day Sullivan lost in her quarterfinal singles match 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.
SUNDAY
The Terps closed out the Tribe Invitational with a singles match split against Dartmouth. Ekaterina Tour, Cassandre Thebault and Saya Usui all won matches for the Terps. Thebault's win earned her third place in the tournament.
Freshmen Saya Usui and Katsiaryna Yemelyanenka teamed up to win their doubles draw and took home first place.
"I am very happy with the way we started the fall season,” head coach Daria Panova said. “All of our athletes competed well in every match. There is a lot that we can take from this weekend and continue building and getting better. We had great performances from Cassandre and Katya who each went 3-0 in their singles matches. I like where we are and I am excited to continue competing and getting better next weekend in Charlottesville."
Maryland will be back in action on Friday as they travel to Charlottesville, Virginia for the UVA Fall Invite.
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