The N.C. A&T women’s tennis team (1-0, 1-3) won its first

conference match as they dominated the Savannah State Tigers.

The N.C. A&T women’s tennis team (1-0, 1-3) won its first conference match as they dominated the Savannah State Tigers.

The Aggies played two consecutive matches that started with a loss to the Wofford Terriers on Saturday afternoon. That game marked the last of three matches the Aggies would play before they entered conference play.

Although they were defeated, they remained focused for Sunday’s match in Georgia.

A&T started off strong and played hard but it wasn’t enough to beat the Terriers. All the doubles teams lost 8-1.They were overpowered. Wofford had an advantage in stamina and won the doubles competition.

A pre-singles pep talk geared the Aggies up for the Singles.

The games became heated and the girls tried to redeem themselves after the doubles defeat, but in the end over hitting and the and hitting balls into the net helped in their defeat.

“You could tell they were more seasoned than us,” said sophomore and first time player April Burrage. “They had more techniques. They knew what to do and when to do it.”

The Aggies lost to Wofford overall 7-0.

“I should win tomorrow. The team we are playing tomorrow should be more on our level,” said sophomore Victorea Austin following her match against Wofford’s Emily Przystawski.

Wofford’s head coach, Katie Hangstefer, was pleased with the Aggies’ energy.

“I remember A&T from last year and the team seems spunkier this year,” said Hanstefer as she commended the Aggies on their effort.

Wofford has only recently been added into the competition in the 2010-2011 season.

The Aggies have had a total of three matches so far first playing Elon (0-7) and then Appalachian State (0-7). In previous seasons, both Elon and Appalachian state have been fierce competition.

Senior Azeib Nigatu ended with final controversial scores of (1-6, 2-6). During the match there were a few miscommunications as to whether the ball went in or out and what exactly the score was.

Assistant Coach Garry Robinson was optimistic about the match and how the girls played.

“The girls have been battle tested and when you play pre-competition you want them to be tough.”

Head coach James Dunwoody agreed. “It’s always been my coaching strategy to have my players play against tougher opponents than we’;; see in the conference. That way, they’ll be ready.”

He’s been A&T’s women’s tennis coach for the last seven seasons.

A&T junior Cayla Cross said simply “the conference girls are not as good”.

Robinson agreed and said at the end of the match he stated that his team “did very well” and that he is confident about the season.

After the loss, the Aggies headed straight to Savannah State for Sunday’s match.

A&T redeemed themselves by defeating Savannah State overall 6-2.

“It was great to win our first conference match,” said Burrage. The match against Savannah State was the sophomore’s first attempt at conference play.

“I’m even more pumped to play in our conference and represent A&T.”

Along with Burrage, Austin, and Cross, Kimberly Stallings also won her singles match.

Freshman Kenya Colbert lost her singles match in third set tie breaker.

“Shes’s a young one,” said Dunwoody. “She’s still trying to find her way, and she’s trying to figure out what she needs to do to win.”

“Winning breeds happiness,” Dunwoody continued to say. “But I’d be a lot happier if we build on this win.”

At the beginning of the season Dunwoody said he wanted his team to win at least 10 out of the 20 scheduled games.

The Aggies are slowly edging their way towards their goal.

[email protected] and [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @ATRegister

 

• Arianna Riddle & Brianna Mcfadgen, Contributors