Marshall women’s tennis loses second straight match

As in Saturday's loss against Princeton, Marshall struggled early in doubles action on Monday, falling 6-1 to Virginia.

Michaela Kissell and Dominika Zapranza fell 8-4 to Emily Fraser and Emily Stevens, and Kara Kucin and Isabell Raich fell 8-4 to Erin Vierra and Lindsey Hatdenbergh.

Deanna Bailey and Thaddea Lock were able to defeat Maria Fuccillo and Hana Tomljanovic 8-5 in third doubles, raising their doubles record to 8-1.

With Virginia leading 1-0 going into singles, Marshall fell behind further as Zapranza and Bailey each lost their singles matches.  Zapranza lost 6-1, 6-1 to Fraser and Bailey lost 7-5, 6-1 to Stevens. 

So far this season, when Bailey wins, so does the team. In games in which she won her singles match, the team is 10-0. In games she has lost her singles match, the team is 0-2.

"We're in the middle," Bailey said. "We still have a lot of matches and opportunities to defeat ranked opponents. We will take a break mentally and get our heads together so that we can be mentally and physically prepared for the match."

Raich lost her singles match against Vierra 6-2, 7-5, in third doubles, putting the Herd down 4-0 and cementing the loss.  Kellner and Koprcina also lost their singles matches.

Kissell was the sole winner for Marshall in the contest, defeating Hardenbergh 7-6, 6-1 in first singles.

"It was a very good match from both ends," said Virginia head coach Mark Guilbeau. "The score is not indicative of how close the match was. It could have easily been a 4-3. Fortunately our kids were able to win some big points and stayed disciplined and focused."

Marshall head coach John Mercer said the team needs to change its mindset in order to be successful the rest of the season.

"Virginia just kind of outplayed us," Mercer said. "They played a little bit more consistent. We got to make sure that we are coming out and we play loose once it comes to crunch time and that we are not trying to defend something instead of going after what we need."

After winning the first 11 games of the season by a combined score of 67-11, Marshall has lost the last two games by a combined score of 11-3.  Marshall has faced seven ranked opponents in the last eight games and faces ranked Winthrop on Saturday.

Patrick Miller can be contacted at miller490@marshall.edu.