George Washington University
JMU
Women's Tennis Edged by James Madison
2/3/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
WASHINGTON - The George Washington women's tennis team went the distance and nearly completed a comeback win, but visiting Atlantic Region foe James Madison clinched a 4-3 victory to edge the Colonials at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center on Friday.
The Colonials (1-2) battled to take the early doubles point and took singles play into the final match, but James Madison ultimately fought off GW's near-comeback.
"Doubles was key for us today," said head coach Torrie Browning. "We tried some new combinations and they worked really well, a good doubles point overall."
"It was an unbelievable match," added Browning. "I'm extremely proud of the way the team fought today. We lost five of six first sets and battled back. JMU is a really solid team, and were definitely ready for them."
The pair of senior Taylor Nederlander and junior Marie-Louise Decamps began the day with a quick 6-1 win at the No. 2 doubles position before JMU claimed the third-flight bout.
Sophomore Maria Siopacha and freshman Melis Bayraktaroglu then battled for a 7-5 triumph at the top spot to claim an early, 1-0, lead for the Colonials.
In singles action, the Dukes tied up the match then took the lead with wins at Nos. 3 and 6. JMU then came within one of clinching the match with a three-set victory in fourth-flight play.
The Colonials followed with a gripping comeback as sophomore Sara Grubac battled for a three-set victory, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, at No. 5. Decamps knotted the match at 3-3 with a stellar, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, come-from-behind triumph at the No. 2 position.
Again with all eyes on court No. 1, Siopacha battled from a set down to push a tiebreaker in the third set. In a dramatic finish, Siopacha was narrowly edged by JMU, 7-5, in the tiebreaker as the Dukes claimed the match, 4-3.
"Maria, Marie, Taylor and Sara all did a great job of battling back in their matches and we got two out of three matches in those spots.
"I definitely like what I'm seeing from team so early in the season," said Browning. "We have a long season ahead of us and we are only getting stronger.
The Colonials next face Atlantic 10 foe Massachusetts on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center during Homecoming weekend.
James Madison 4, George Washington 3
Doubles
1. Maria Siopacha/Melis Bayraktaroglu (GW) def. Timea Guibe/Kimmy Herrock (JMU) 7-5
2. Taylor Nederlander/Marie-Louise Decamps (GW) def. Emma Petersen/Rebecca Harris (JMU) 6-1
3. Jona Roka/Abby Amos (JMU) def. Allison Hansen/Sara Grubac (GW) 6-1
Order: 2, 3, 1
Singles
1. Timea Guibe (JMU) def. Maria Siopacha (GW) 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5)
2. Marie-Louise Decamps (GW) def. Rachel Nelson (JMU) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
3. Emma Petersen (JMU) def. Melis Bayraktaroglu (GW) 6-4, 6-4
4. Jona Roka (JMU) def. Taylor Nederlander (GW) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
5. Sara Grubac (GW) def. Kimmy Herrock (JMU) 7-5, 2-6, 6-4
6. Dylan Owens (JMU) def. Kamilla Beisenova (GW) 7-5, 6-1
Order: 3, 6, 4, 5, 2, 1
Players Mentioned
