No. 5 JMU Prevails 4-0 Over No. 4 UNCW in CAA Quarterfinals

Friday, April 17

Williamsburg, Va.

9 a.m.

James Madison University

UNCW

No. 5 JMU Prevails 4-0 Over No. 4 UNCW in CAA Quarterfinals

4/17/2015 3:25:00 PM | Women's Tennis

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Fifth-seeded James Madison women's tennis prevailed over fourth-seeded UNCW with a 4-0 victory in the 2015 Colonial Athletic Association Championship Tournament quarterfinals to advance to Saturday's semifinal round.

The win marked the Dukes' first over the Seahawks since April 18, 2003, a 4-0 victory in the 2003 CAA tournament quarterfinals. JMU (13-7) opened with a 2-0 showing in doubles to take the point before winning eight of 10 completed singles sets en route to the 4-0 win over UNCW (9-9), eliminating the defending 2014 Colonial Athletic Association champions.

"Today was a breakthrough win for our team," Head Coach James Bryce said. "We have a bright future ahead of us as a program. Moving forward, I think our girls will be confident and believe in themselves and their teammates. We'll enjoy this win, then get prepared for William & Mary tomorrow."

The Dukes wrapped up the doubles point with wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. Freshman Kimmy Herrock and sophomore Rebecca Harris won 8-2 over Miller Hales and Alyssa Ritchie at No. 2 before sophomore Rachel Nelson and senior Sarah Khan won the final five games against Alix Theodossiou and Hollie Champion to overcome a 6-3 deficit and clinch the doubles point at 8-6.

Four of six first sets of singles play went the way of the Dukes to set up a five-of-five sweep of completed second sets. Sophomore Alex Huie was the first to finish, taking Christine Kharkevitch down 6-4, 6-2 at the No. 3 position to give JMU a 2-0 advantage.

In her first CAA tournament match, Harris followed with straight 6-1 wins over Hales at No. 6 singles to push the Dukes within one point of the match victory. Nelson secured the triumph with straight 6-4 wins at No. 2 singles.

With the remaining singles matches left unfinished after match point was clinched, freshman Dylan Owens was playing for match point at No. 5 as she held a 6-2, 5-4 lead over Hamilton Lovett. Both Herrock and senior Taylor Pinchoff were ahead in decisive set threes after battling back from one-set deficits.

JMU returns to the courts Saturday, April 18, with a 10 a.m. match against top-seeded William & Mary at the Millie West Tennis Facility. The Dukes and Tribe did not meet during the 2015 regular season.

#5 James Madison 4, #4 UNCW 0
Singles
#1 Taylor Pinchoff (JMU) vs. Alyssa Ritchie (UNCW) – DNF, 3-6, 6-3, 3-2
#2 Rachel Nelson (JMU) d. Annika Sillanpaa (UNCW), 6-4, 6-4
#3 Alex Huie (JMU) d. Christine Kharkevitch (UNCW), 6-4, 6-2
#4 Kimmy Herrock (JMU) vs. Alix Theodossiou (UNCW) – DNF, 4-6, 6-1, 2-0
#5 Dylan Owens (JMU) vs. Hamilton Lovett (UNCW) – DNF, 6-2, 5-4
#6 Rebecca Harris (JMU) d. Miller Hales (UNCW), 6-1, 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 6, 2
Doubles
#1 Kharkevitch/Sillanpaa (UNCW) vs. Pinchoff/Huie (JMU) – DNF, 7-5
#2 Herrock/Harris (JMU) d. Hales/Ritchie (UNCW), 8-2
#3 Nelson/Sarah Khan (JMU) d. Theodossiou/Hollie Champion (UNCW), 8-6
Order of Finish: 2, 3