WORCESTER, Mass.—Senior Kelsey Shea (West Bridgewater, Mass.) earned a victory in her 100th collegiate match, but that would be the lone bright spot in women's tennis' Little East Conference opener.
THE BASICS
Worcester State University 8, UMass Boston 1
(UMass Boston 1-3, Little East 0-1)
(Worcester State 3-2, Little East 1-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Shea became just the third player in UMass Boston women's tennis program history to reach the 100-match mark when she took the court for sixth singles. The senior easily handled Isabel Badeau 6-1, 6-2, but it would be the lone point on the day for the Beacons.
Despite two three-set singles matches and some tight doubles play, UMass Boston couldn't keep up with the hosts.
Worcester State raced out to a 3-0 lead thanks to wins of 8-5, 8-3 and 8-5 in doubles action.
After pushing their lead to 4-0 with a win in second singles, Shea put the Beacons on the board at number six singles.
The Lancers would quickly regain the momentum and earn the victory by taking points at number three and five singles.
In the final two singles matches to reach completion, UMass Boston put up big fights in three set losses.
Senior Vicky Woytowicz (Springfield, Mass.) fought back from a set down to force a third set, before ultimately falling 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
In the final match to finish, Kristy Garcia (Miami, Fla.) dropped a third set tiebreaker 10-4, to fall 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 10-4 to Worcester State's Shelby Jankins.
BY THE NUMBERS
- After winning their opener, UMass Boston has now dropped three matches in a row.
- Shea stands third in program history in collegiate matches behind only Anitra Kloczewiak (128) and Samantha Counts (110).
- Shea leads the Beacons in singles (three) and overall wins (four). For her career, Shea stands fifth in career wins with 40.
WHO'S NEXT
UMass Boston will look for their first LEC win of the fall on Tuesday, when they host Salem State University at 3 p.m.
