VILLANOVA, Pa.—In a close team competition that saw three of the six singles matches go to three sets Villanova (2-7) won consecutive decisions in the second and third spots of the lineup before ultimately falling to Loyola (Md.) (8-3-1) by a 5-2 score at the Villanova Tennis Complex on Saturday afternoon. Junior
Caitlin Fisher (Cincinnati, Ohio) and freshman
Valieriia Kornieva (Dnipro, Ukraine) won their respective matches to account for the Wildcats team points.
The match was a close one from the start and Villanova won the first decision of the day when senior
Annalise Klopfer (Palm Harbor, Fla.) and freshman
Emma Brogan (Kennesaw, Ga.) teamed up for a 6-2 win over Olivia Tracey and Anna Rico at No. 1 doubles. The visiting Greyhounds took the second and third doubles matches by close scores of 6-4 and 7-5 however, and secured the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead. Kornieva and senior
Sabina Grigorian (Atlanta, Ga.) fell in the No. 2 doubles match (6-4) while Fisher and senior
Olivia Kapp (Milton, Ga.) were defeated at No. 3 doubles (7-5).
Loyola (Md.) won the first two singles matches to be completed as Brogan was dealt a 6-4, 6-2 loss in the No. 1 spot and sophomore
Bella Steffen (Cary, N.C.) fell by set scores of 6-4 and 6-3 in the fourth lineup spot. Those two results extended the Greyhounds lead to 3-0 before the Wildcats tallied wins from Fisher and Kornieva in the middle of the lineup. Kornieva finished her match first at No. 3 singles and scored a 6-0, 6-4 decision over Rico in straight sets. Fisher rallied past Lauren Manwiller in the No. 2 singles match and surged past her opponent for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 to pull Villanova to within 3-2.
Each of the last two matches of the day at No. 5 and No. 6 singles went to three sets with the team result on the line. Kapp and freshman
Chloe Floyd (Charlotte, N.C.) lost their opening sets before each rallied to tie the match and force a third set. In the No. 5 singles match Kapp was eventually defeated 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 as the Greyhounds clinched the victory. Floyd fell at No. 6 singles by scores of 6-4, 1-6 and 6-3.
Villanova will be back at home on Sunday to host Providence at 11 a.m.
