The Binghamton University women’s tennis team has one goal right now: start the season strong and put itself in position to win the America East Conference Championship in April.
So far they are off to a great start. The Bearcats (1-0) looked dominant on Saturday morning in their 7-0 sweep of St. Bonaventure.
Sophomores Anna Edelman and Lauren Bates rolled to victory in the top two spots, with 6-2, 6-0 and 6-1, 6-0, respectively. Sophomore Yulia Smirnova was also ruthless in her 6-0, 6-3 victory at the fourth spot in the lineup. In a very positive signal for the upcoming season, the other three singles matches were victories for Binghamton freshmen. At third and fifth singles, respectively, Jillian Santos and Yagmur Gone were victorious, dropping just one game between them in the first singles matches of their promising careers. Freshman Emma Leibowicz won by forfeit in her match at sixth singles.
In doubles, Edelman and Santos won 8-1 at the top spot, while Bates and Gone were winners by the score of 8-5 at second doubles. Leibowicz and Smirnova won third doubles in a default. Overall, the Bearcats were pleased with the way they played in their first dual match of the season.
“We played very well,” Edelman said. “It was a good start to our season.”
Binghamton did come into the match against St. Bonaventure as a heavy favorite, having also beat them 7-0 last year. However, the most encouraging sign in their romp this time around was the strong showing from two of the team’s new freshmen: Santos and Gone. Both players were nervous, but shone bright in their debuts. Most importantly, they both understand that how their team fares is what matters most in the ultimate end.
“I was really nervous playing my first college match. I couldn’t really sleep the night before. I’m really glad to have been successful,” Santos said. “As for the rest of the year, I just want to take it one match at a time. Hopefully I’ll be a great contributor to the team.”
Edelman was elated at the performance of the team’s freshmen as well.
“It was good to start with a 7-0 win. I think the freshmen got a good feel for what college tennis is like.”
Binghamton’s performance against St. Bonaventure has created optimism for the coming tennis season. Last year, the Bearcats came closer to winning the conference than they had in any year under current head coach Mike Stevens. The team lost to Boston University, 4-2, but it was right there with the Terriers. Second singles star sophomore Bates has embodied the Bearcats’ positive outlook.
“This year looks like it’s going to be an exciting year. The team played well this weekend, and we’re looking forward to our next matches.”
The Bearcats were scheduled to play Marist later in the afternoon, but the match was canceled due to rain.
Binghamton will head up to Ithaca to compete in the Cornell Invitational on Friday.