by Judy Polanco
Staff Writer
Demonstrating a winning performance and attitude, the University of La Verne women’s tennis team picked up an easy 7-2 victory against Whittier on Wednesday, increasing its record to 2-8.
In their first confrontation with Whittier earlier this month, the Leopards played well, but lost 5-4.
In past matches, the women were not coming through in their singles matches, which put additional pressure on the doubles. But that was not the case on Wednesday, as the women took Zwissler’s words to heart and came through in four of the six matches.
“I had a positive attitude going into the match, knowing the last time we played Whittier, we were really close,” said freshman Tracy MacArthur.
MacArthur’s positive attitude transpired into confidence on the court against Whittier’s Vicky Yang. Yang’s tough serves were not enough to discourage or defeat MacArthur. Realizing that Yang continuously approached the net, MacArthur found Yang’s weakness for returning lobs. MacArthur took the first set 6-1 and was able to come back 7-5 after being down 3-5 in the second.
Picking up two wins, in two days, senior Catherine Padilla is coming through for the team and herself. Padilla’s strategy of being patient and keeping her shots in, paid off, earning her a 6-4, 6-3 victory against Robin Toltzman.
“We are starting to see our true potential coming through,” Padilla said.
Unable to participate in singles play due to an illness, senior Stephani Hannon paired up with Tara Hunnicutt to defeat Sabrina Lee and Yang, 8-2.
Hannon and Hunnicutt took complete control of the net and match. The Whittier doubles were not communicating well, were unable to return many of the volleys, and had a difficult time returning Hannon’s and Hunnicutt’s serves, two of which were aces for Hannon. Every skill Whittier lacked, La Verne possessed, enabling the Leopards to be victorious in all games of doubles play. The other winning combinations for La Verne, seniors Tiffany Hall and Wendy Rockenbaugh, defeated Erica Strode and Pam Lentz, 8-2. Junior Jacqui Zwissler and Padilla won by default in the doubles competition.
On Tuesday the women fought for a win against Biola but lost 5-4.
