Dawgs Win Top Three Singles But No. 15 Baylor Escapes
SEATTLE – Husky women's tennis had 15th-ranked Baylor in its sights today at the Nordstrom Tennis Center, but the Bears (10-1) were able to swing one match in singles and pull out a 4-3 win despite Washington (7-1) winning the top three singles matches.
"It proves to us where we are, the win on Friday and then to be in a situation like this today," said Head Coach Robin Stephenson, referring to UW's 5-2 win over Washington State two days ago.
"This was the best team we've faced, and if we get that doubles point it's a different match, if we get that third set we win the match. It comes down to small margins, and we've got to figure out how to overcome that. We will learn from this and be better down the road because of this match. There are so many positives to take from this weekend and we are on the right track."
Baylor won the doubles point today and that would ultimately be a difference maker as UW suffered its first losses of the season at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, however Zoey Weil and Tara Chilton had their best win, as they got a 6-2 win on court three for the first win of the day. But Baylor controlled the top two matches, winning 6-2 at No. 1 and 6-3 at No. 2.
The Huskies came back ready to respond right away in singles, and ultimately won four first sets to set themselves up well. But the first two matches to finish were Baylor points to put the Huskies in an 0-3 hole, as freshmen Yolanda Lin and Chilton were unable to make headway at Nos. 5 and 6.
While UW was out in front on the first three courts, attention turned to the No. 4 match, where junior Zoey Weil had sprinted out to a 6-0 first set win over Angelina Shakhraichuk, but Shakhraichuk turned momentum with the final three games of set two to win it, 6-4, and force a third. Shakhraichuk got the clincher, 6-4, in the third, to make it 4-0.
Despite the disappointment of the deciding point, the Huskies showed no lack of fight in the remaining matches. Sedona Gallagher completed a 7-5, 7-6 (5) win at No. 3 singles over Alicia Herrero Linana, and then freshman Sarah-Maude Fortin stayed perfect on the season with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Jessica Hinojosa.
Wrapping things up, Vanessa Wong got another in a long line of impressive No. 1 singles wins for the Dawgs as she took down Baylor's No. 1, Mel Krywoj, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Wong and Fortin are both now 8-0 on the season.
The Huskies had some cancellations in their schedule for next week but turned lemons into lemonade as they added a road match in Hawaii, set for next Sunday, Feb. 28.
February 21, 2021
Nordstrom Tennis Center | Seattle, Wash.
Washington – 3
#15 Baylor – 4
Singles
1. (#74) Vanessa Wong (UW) def. Mel Krywoj (BU), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
2. Sarah-Maude Fortin (UW) def. Jessica Hinojosa (BU), 7-6 (3), 6-4
3. Sedona Gallagher (UW) def. Alicia Herrero Linana (BU), 7-5, 7-6 (5)
4. Angelina Shakhraichuk (BU) def. Zoey Weil (UW), 0-6, 6-4, 6-4
5. Livia Kraus (BU) def. Yolanda Lin (UW), 6-2, 6-2
6. Paula Barañano (BU) def. Tara Chilton (UW), 6-3, 6-2
Order of finish: 5, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1
Doubles
1. Krywoj/Herrero Linana (BU) def. Wong/Fortin (UW), 6-2
2. Boch-Collins/Shakhraichuk (BU) def. Gallagher/Lin (UW), 6-3
3. Weil/Chilton (UW) def. Kraus/Baranano (BU), 6-2
Order of finish: 3, 2, 1