The C of C women’s tennis team bounced back Jan. 31 with a big win against Boston
University after facing tough competition to start the 2010 season.  The team came into the Intercollegiate Women’s Kick-Off Weekend on a three-game losing streak
after falling to Winthrop, Clemson and Mississippi State to open the season.
The Cougars came into the season ranked 68 in the nation by the International
Tennis Association after winning the 2009 SoCon championship and competing in the NCAA tournament last year.  
The team ended the 2009 season with a 24-5 record overall, and Head Coach Angelo
Anastapoulo was named International Tennis Association Southeast Coach of the Year.
The Cougars hoped to carry that momentum into the new season with seven
returning athletes, but face a tough schedule where they meet 10
teams that played in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
The defending Big South Champion Winthrop Eagles proved a
tough opponent to open the season, beating Charleston 5-2 after the Cougars took an early lead.
“The match against Winthrop could have gone either way. We jumped on
them early in every match but Winthrop fought back,” Anastapoulo said.
 The team headed to Clemson in their second match where the Tigers lived
up to their 14th ranking, defeating the Cougars 7-0 in the Clemson indoor tennis center.
“Clemson is a women’s tennis powerhouse. Their number one player
is ranked number nine in the country,” Anastapoulo said.
The Cougars remained hopeful coming into the Intercollegiate Women’s
Kick-Off in Miami Jan. 31.
After a hard-fought 5-2 loss against Mississippi State they were determined to come home with a victory against Boston University, who has won 14 straight America East Conference championships.
C of C’s 44th ranked duo, senior Holly Dowse and junior Emma Hayman, beat Boston University’s Francine Whu and Monika Mical 8-5, giving the Cougars the lead after doubles competition.
Hayman continued to play well in singles where she and fellow junior
Kinsey Casey both defeated their opponents in straight sets by scores of 6-2, 6-3 and 6-0, 6-3, respectively.
Boston University won the last two matches, but the Cougars were able to
hold onto their lead and come away with their first win of the season.
“The players really rebounded from a close and tough loss to Mississippi
State,” Anastopoulo said. “It’s exciting to get a win in a national tournament like this.”
These matchups began a nine-game stretch on the road for the Cougars, which also
includes two conference matchups against Samford and Chattanooga, before
they return home to Patriot’s Point against Western Carolina on March 7.
“We’ve got a challenging schedule,” Anastapoulo said, “but we’re looking forward to this year and aim to repeat as Southern Conference champions. We have to be
prepared against every SoCon team because they will definitely be out to dethrone
us this year.”
For more information on the women’s tennis team, visit CofCsports.com.