KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's tennis team finally opened the 2020-21 season on Saturday at West Hills Athletic Club, sweeping Ferris State 6-1 and 7-0 in a double-header.
 
Every Bronco on the roster got a chance to suit up and compete for the first time since last season ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
 
"Being off for 333 days since our last match, I had no idea what to expect," said head coach Ryan Tomlinson. "We had some first match jitters but I think we played relatively well, all considering. We have some things to work on but we will enjoy a day off tomorrow and get back to work on Monday."
 
"All 11 players that suited up today contributed in some way, shape or form in both wins and that is great moving forward. The team was excited to play. I think there was a sense of relief getting that first match under our belts. Our four freshmen each got their first individual wins and did a great job today."
 
MATCH 1 – 6-1
The Broncos secured the doubles point in the first match, winning all three games. Freshmen Karin Hamilton and Ana Guadiana were paired together at No. 2 doubles and earned the first victory of the season after defeating Sam Stephenson and Morgan Waller, 6-2. Sophomore Lindsey Zieglar and junior Kristina Tiraspolsky secured the doubles point after beating Sophie Davettila and Patricia Gomez 6-2. Junior Femke Tjon-A-Joe and senior Jeryn Jack defeating Agata Klak and Isabella Paixao 7-5. (Order of finish 2,3,1)
 
In singles action Zieglar played at No. 2 and made quick work of Paixao 6-1, 6-2. Junior Kaitlyn Rogosh played at No. 5 and was the second to pick up a win, defeating Brittany Lavenant 6-1, 6-2. Freshman Maya Perkucin made her collegiate debut at No. 6 and earned her first win after defeating Stephenson 7-5, 6-1. Tjona-A-Joe fell to Waller 7-5, 4-6, 0-1 (8-10) at No. 1, while Hamilton earned her first singles victory after beating Davettila 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 at No. 3. Guadiana also notched her first collegiate win after defeating Klack 7-5, 6-4 at No. 4.  (Order of finish 2,5,6,4,1,3)
 
MATCH 2 – 7-0
Junior Elizabeth Trupp and freshman Paula Wohlers picked up the first win of doubles for the Broncos at No. 3, defeating Davettila and Lavenant 6-1. Klack and Paixao took down Guadiana and Hamilton to tie it up at 1-1 after a 6-3 victory before Ziegler and Tiraspolsky claimed the doubles point for WMU in dramatic fashion after a 7-6 (10-7) win. (Order of finish 3,1,2)
 
The Broncos swept the singles portion with Ziegler winning at No. 1 over Waller 7-6, 6-1. Hamilton moved up to No. 2 and defeated Paixao 6-2, 6-1, while Guadiana was up 2-1 at No. 3 before Davettila had to retire. At No. 4 Rogosh defeated Klack 6-0, 6-1 and Smith won at No. 6 over Stephenson 6-1, 6-2. Wholers rapped things up at No. 5 after beating Lavenant 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5). (Order of finish 3,2,4,6,1,5).
 
UP NEXT
The Broncos head on the road for the first time, traveling to Valparaiso on Saturday to take on the Crusaders at 4 p.m.