JMU Overpowers Towson, 6-1, to Win CAA Opener

Sunday, January 31

Towson, Md.

1:30 p.m.

James Madison University

Towson

1/31/2016 6:42:00 PM | Women's Tennis

TOWSON, Md. – James Madison women's tennis overpowered Towson in its Colonial Athletic Association opener, taking the 6-1 win against the Tigers. The Dukes are 1-1 after the first weekend of dual play while the Tigers are 1-1 after a 6-1 win at George Mason on Friday.

The Dukes used a 2-1 edge in doubles matches to claim the point before winning five of six singles matches for the team victory.

The team clincher came from sophomore Kimmy Herrock clinched the win for JMU with in come-from-behind fashion over A.J. Gomer at No. 4 singles. After dropping set one 6-3, she rattled off a 6-1, 6-3 pair in sets two and three for the fourth team point. Herrock has won four consecutive singles matches dating back to the final tournament of the fall.

Junior Timea Guibe went 2-0 on the afternoon to push her dual records to 1-1 in both singles and doubles. She joined with freshman Bella Heidenreich to secure the doubles point in a 6-1 win over Nicole Shakhnazarova and Barbora Vasilkova at the No. 1 position. She rode the momentum into singles action to defeat Shakhnazarova 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 1 position and give JMU a 2-0 lead.

Junior Rebecca Harris remained undefeated over the opening weekend, posting a 6-4 doubles win with freshman Abby Amos at the No. 2 position to kickstart the JMU victories. She also notched a two-set win (6-2, 6-1) at No. 6 singles over Lucy Gloninger for her fifth-straight singles win.

The Dukes' scoring was rounded out by junior Rachel Nelson at No. 2 singles and freshman Emma Petersen at No. 5 singles.

JMU returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 6, with a noon contest at Howard.

QUOTING HEAD COACH JAMES BRYCE
"Towson, as always, played us very tough today. We had to make the right adjustments to win, and I am proud of the team. Our upperclassmen led by example, which then helped our freshmen through. Overall, this weekend was exactly what we needed moving into next week"

TWEET OF THE DAY

1st win of season is a CAA win. Currently 4-1 up vs Towson. #GoDukes
— JMU Women's Tennis (@JMUWTennis) January 31, 2016

FULL RESULTS
Doubles (3, 2, 1*)

Guibe/Heidenreich def. Shakhnazarova/Vasilkova 6-1
Abby Amos/Harris def. Williams/Shusterman 6-4
van Oorschodt/Gloninger def. Herrock/Petersen 6-1

Singles (1, 2, 3, 4*, 6, 5)

Timea Guibe def. Nicole Shakhnazarova 6-1, 6-2
Rachel Nelson def. Lucy Williams 6-3, 7-5
Barbora Vasilkova def. Bella Heidenreich 6-1, 6-4
Kimmy Herrock def. A.J. Gomer 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
Emma Petersen def. Renate van Oorschodt 4-6, 6-3, 10-4
Rebecca Harris def. Lucy Gloninger 6-2, 6-1

UP NEXT
JMU continues its road stretch with a visit to Howard on Saturday, Feb. 5, before heading to Navy on Sunday, Feb. 6. The Dukes have the following weekend (Feb. 13-14) off from competition.