2008 Woodie Awards
Women's tennis capture third straight win, beats NJIT, 5-2
Matt Pavao
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: Sports
04/08/08 - The University of Rhode Island women's tennis team battled the cold and wind Sunday to beat the New Jersey Institute of Technology, 5-2. The win was Rhode Island's third in a row.
The poor weather conditions were nothing new to the Rams, who have spent much of the season playing in it.
"We keep having to play these matches in high winds and cold temperatures," head coach Sandy Wood said. "[Sunday] was probably 45 degrees out with gusts definitely in the 20s. It's tough conditions, particularly with the tennis balls moving around. It's not very comfortable to play in but we did all right and beat a good team."
Wood said the cold weather and strong winds have forced the players to adjust their games to suit the conditions.
"You have to make significant adjustments and we're pretty good at it because we keep having to do it," Wood said. "What you have to do is really have a clear idea of where the wind is coming from. In that case, it dictates how they play. The general rule is that you have to drive the ball more and really hit it to compensate for the wind."
Even with the adjustments, the conditions still made it tough for Rhode Island to play its best tennis.
"For the most part we were pretty good, we played better in the wind than the other team but we weren't hitting on all cylinders," Wood said. "It is hard to get into a rhythm. Whether it was our team or the other team, nobody felt good out there."
Rhode Island continued its winning streak, with singles wins by junior Christen Cadigan, sophomore Amanda Barletta, and senior Valerie Chacon and freshman Kristen Liu. The team grabbed the doubles point with wins from junior Grace Hedstrom and Chacon at two doubles and Barletta and Liu at three doubles.
"We've played some really strong matches," Wood said. "Now we're back to doing well and playing quality matches."
The Rams will have another match at home where they will take on the University of Albany.
"Albany is a really good, really strong team and we're hoping we can come away with a win," Wood said. "It should be a really good battle actually. The weather is going to be better and it will be a great match to watch. We will have to play really well to win but that is something that we are capable of."
With home matches on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday, Wood said the players should benefit from a week at home without having to go on the road.
"It's great for the kids to be able to have a little more free time to themselves," she said. "It is just easier to play a home match. You can eat in the dining halls, sleep in your own bed and the day isn't nearly as long. It's a big help."
The poor weather conditions were nothing new to the Rams, who have spent much of the season playing in it.
"We keep having to play these matches in high winds and cold temperatures," head coach Sandy Wood said. "[Sunday] was probably 45 degrees out with gusts definitely in the 20s. It's tough conditions, particularly with the tennis balls moving around. It's not very comfortable to play in but we did all right and beat a good team."
Wood said the cold weather and strong winds have forced the players to adjust their games to suit the conditions.
"You have to make significant adjustments and we're pretty good at it because we keep having to do it," Wood said. "What you have to do is really have a clear idea of where the wind is coming from. In that case, it dictates how they play. The general rule is that you have to drive the ball more and really hit it to compensate for the wind."
Even with the adjustments, the conditions still made it tough for Rhode Island to play its best tennis.
"For the most part we were pretty good, we played better in the wind than the other team but we weren't hitting on all cylinders," Wood said. "It is hard to get into a rhythm. Whether it was our team or the other team, nobody felt good out there."
Rhode Island continued its winning streak, with singles wins by junior Christen Cadigan, sophomore Amanda Barletta, and senior Valerie Chacon and freshman Kristen Liu. The team grabbed the doubles point with wins from junior Grace Hedstrom and Chacon at two doubles and Barletta and Liu at three doubles.
"We've played some really strong matches," Wood said. "Now we're back to doing well and playing quality matches."
The Rams will have another match at home where they will take on the University of Albany.
"Albany is a really good, really strong team and we're hoping we can come away with a win," Wood said. "It should be a really good battle actually. The weather is going to be better and it will be a great match to watch. We will have to play really well to win but that is something that we are capable of."
With home matches on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday, Wood said the players should benefit from a week at home without having to go on the road.
"It's great for the kids to be able to have a little more free time to themselves," she said. "It is just easier to play a home match. You can eat in the dining halls, sleep in your own bed and the day isn't nearly as long. It's a big help."