Roadrunners grab first victory

Written by Enrico Dominguez
(edoming2@mscd.edu)
Daniel Clements
(dcleme12@mscd.edu)

The women’s tennis team started a little rough against University of Wyoming March 1 at the Air Force Academy, but ended on a high note against Winona State March 2 at Auraria Courts.

Junior Mandy Bowling hurt her knee and was unable to play in both matches, causing the team to forfeit No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles.

“I hope to be back soon,” Bowling said. “Not quite sure what the injury is yet.”

Junior April Hirad said it’s difficult beginning the match down by two points when it hasn’t even started.

“It’s a lot harder when the match starts 2-0 because Mandy is out,” Hirad said.

With Bowling out, the whole roster was forced to shift below senior Mitra Hirad. Senior Miriam Evangelista played No. 1 doubles with Mitra Hirad and Hirad played with sophomore Alexis Alvarez at No. 2 doubles after only a few days of practicing together.

“Doubles is a little foreign territory right now,” head coach Beck Meares said. “If we can go into singles 2-1 or 3-0 that would really help.”

Sophomore Kathleen Thompson lost 6-0, 6-1 but was still looking forward to the match against Winona State.

“Probably one of my best matches, although the score may not have reflected it,” Thompson said. “I felt like we had an intense week of practice just like the week we played Air Force.”

Although they didn’t win a single match, they all seemed to know something the scoreboard didn’t.

“We weren’t expecting to win against Wyoming,” Meares said. “I scheduled the DI teams at the beginning of the season for a reason. Our season starts tomorrow against Winona.”

Once again, the Roadrunners started off the match against Winona State down 2-0. Doubles began with new partners Evangelist and Mitra Hirad tag-teaming for a win against Winona’s No. 1 doubles 9-7. The No. 2 team, which consisted of Hirad and Alvaraz, lost their match 7-4.

In the far court, Thompson was starting more of what was promised as the actual season started. Before anyone knew it, she was coming off the court with a win, carrying herself with an anticipated sense of satisfaction.

Not only was Thompson winning her matches, the rest of the team were winning also. While Evangelista won her match 6-3, 6-3, Hirad started playing like she was shot out of a cannon around her fifth game and pulled the match out 6-3, 6-3. The whole team watched as Alvaraz finished off her match winning 6-2, 7-5.

“We started down 2-0 against a team ranked three spots above us,” Hirad said. “This feels so good.”

The win puts the women’s team at an even .500 overall. The men will play against Dallas Baptist March 10 at Auraria Courts.