University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Photo by: UNC Asheville
Bulldogs Put Together Solid First Day at Wake Forest Invitational
10.06.2017 | Women's Tennis
Doubles Updated Draw
Singles Updated Draw
**Story and behind-the-scenes insight from day one of the event from senior Amalie Davidsen**Â
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - I am sitting at the hotel room I share with our freshman Anastasia Horvat and junior Christin Louw thinking back to when I was a freshman.
Â
This is my final year at UNC Asheville and I am trying to imagine what I am going to do this time a year after graduation. Freshman year seems so long ago, yet it still feels like yesterday.
Â
We are currently playing at the Wake Forest Invitational. There are a lot of teams here, such as, Louisville, Wake Forest, Western Carolina, Davidson, Wright State, and so on.
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The Wake Forest Invitational is a tournament that we have not played before, at least not since I have been on the team, so it is fun to get to see new faces and play different opponents. Wake Forest University is also the place that hosted the Big South Championships last spring where we beat Gardner-Webb in the quarterfinals before falling to Winthrop in the semis – the first time in 14 years the program had advanced to the final four.   Â
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We had a solid first day today. We did not peak in doubles, we were a bit low in energy, and did not get to the levels we are capable of reaching. Kylee Shipley and Hannah Francisco had our only doubles win, winning 8-3 and playing a solid match against a duo from William & Mary University. We should do better tomorrow – doubles is mainly coming out to our advantage. Coach Lise Gregory is an excellent doubles strategic, a former professional player herself, and she has taught us the key to doubles.
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After doubles we got to sit outside for a minute, enjoying the last bit of summer, before fall takes over. You can already sense the sound of fall when you see the leaves dancing around in tiny breezes, especially at 7 a.m. when the moon is still shining and the air is cool. While sitting outside, we all agreed to bring more energy into the singles matches because it will always turn our level up a notch.
Â
Around 1 p.m. singles play was going on strong. Emily Sidor won her match with a solid performance, 6-0, 6-1, against a player from Wright State. Emily did great following her strategy and completely tore her opponent down by dictating the points and keeping her incredible consistency.
Â
Kylee Shipley, who had an amazing season last year, continued her excellent tennis, where she finessed a backhand winner at match point, winning against a strong player from Davidson, 6-4, 6-3. Furthermore, freshman Anastasia Horvat continued her great start on her collegiate career by winning in two sets against a hard-hitting girl from Wright State. We wrapped up day one with Lauren Watson-Steele winning 6-3, 6-1, against a player from Richmond University. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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Besides playing pretty good tennis, our team is even better at enjoying food, so it was safe to say we felt delighted when the day was over and we were headed to our absolute favorite restaurant: Panera Bread. Tomorrow is going to be an even better day where everyone gets another chance to do even better on the court, enjoy the game, compete and well-represent UNC Asheville. Good night! Â Â Â
Singles Updated Draw
**Story and behind-the-scenes insight from day one of the event from senior Amalie Davidsen**Â
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - I am sitting at the hotel room I share with our freshman Anastasia Horvat and junior Christin Louw thinking back to when I was a freshman.
Â
This is my final year at UNC Asheville and I am trying to imagine what I am going to do this time a year after graduation. Freshman year seems so long ago, yet it still feels like yesterday.
Â
We are currently playing at the Wake Forest Invitational. There are a lot of teams here, such as, Louisville, Wake Forest, Western Carolina, Davidson, Wright State, and so on.
Â
The Wake Forest Invitational is a tournament that we have not played before, at least not since I have been on the team, so it is fun to get to see new faces and play different opponents. Wake Forest University is also the place that hosted the Big South Championships last spring where we beat Gardner-Webb in the quarterfinals before falling to Winthrop in the semis – the first time in 14 years the program had advanced to the final four.   Â
Â
We had a solid first day today. We did not peak in doubles, we were a bit low in energy, and did not get to the levels we are capable of reaching. Kylee Shipley and Hannah Francisco had our only doubles win, winning 8-3 and playing a solid match against a duo from William & Mary University. We should do better tomorrow – doubles is mainly coming out to our advantage. Coach Lise Gregory is an excellent doubles strategic, a former professional player herself, and she has taught us the key to doubles.
Â
After doubles we got to sit outside for a minute, enjoying the last bit of summer, before fall takes over. You can already sense the sound of fall when you see the leaves dancing around in tiny breezes, especially at 7 a.m. when the moon is still shining and the air is cool. While sitting outside, we all agreed to bring more energy into the singles matches because it will always turn our level up a notch.
Â
Around 1 p.m. singles play was going on strong. Emily Sidor won her match with a solid performance, 6-0, 6-1, against a player from Wright State. Emily did great following her strategy and completely tore her opponent down by dictating the points and keeping her incredible consistency.
Â
Kylee Shipley, who had an amazing season last year, continued her excellent tennis, where she finessed a backhand winner at match point, winning against a strong player from Davidson, 6-4, 6-3. Furthermore, freshman Anastasia Horvat continued her great start on her collegiate career by winning in two sets against a hard-hitting girl from Wright State. We wrapped up day one with Lauren Watson-Steele winning 6-3, 6-1, against a player from Richmond University. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Â
Besides playing pretty good tennis, our team is even better at enjoying food, so it was safe to say we felt delighted when the day was over and we were headed to our absolute favorite restaurant: Panera Bread. Tomorrow is going to be an even better day where everyone gets another chance to do even better on the court, enjoy the game, compete and well-represent UNC Asheville. Good night! Â Â Â
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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