WOMEN’S TENNIS

A tightly contested battle came down to the wire Thursday afternoon as the (RV) Huntington women’s tennis team fell just short in a 4-3 decision to #24 Oakland City at the OCU Tennis Courts.

With three singles matches going the distance, the matchup delivered drama from start to finish.

The Foresters grabbed early momentum by securing the doubles point by collecting wins on courts one and three with #2 doubles going unfinished once HU earned the point. Oakland City responded in singles, winning at four of the six spots to edge out the victory.

Huntington saw strong performances at the top and bottom of the lineup. Isabella Herrera battled through three sets at No. 1 to earn a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win, while Ashley Bucur was dominant at No. 5 with a straight-set 6-1, 6-3 victory. The difference came in the tightly contested middle courts.

Addison Mast pushed her No. 4 match to the brink in a marathon battle, ultimately falling 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (6). Sofia Kurshinskaia also forced a third set at No. 6 before dropping a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 decision. Those narrow margins proved pivotal as the Mighty Oaks secured the remaining points needed to clinch the 4-3 win.

With the loss, Huntington moves to 6-8 overall. The Foresters will look to bounce back Saturday as they open Crossroads League play at home against Indiana Wesleyan at 11:00 a.m.

SINGLES RECAP
1. Isabella Herrera (HU) def. Silvia Fernandez de la Pradilla (OCU) 6-4, 3-6, 6–2
2. Berta Ladaga Auge (OCU) def. Yariange Bello (HU) 6–2, 6–3
3. Maria Trembach (OCU) def. Tiziana Rizzato (HU) 6–1, 6–1
4. Tiana Sparks (OCU) def. Addison Mast (HU) 7–5, 5–7, 7–6 (6)
5. Ashley Bucur (HU) def. Fabienne Nowak (OCU) 6-1, 6–3
6. Juliana Puente (OCU) def. Sofia Kurshinskaia (HU) 6–2, 4–6, 6–1

DOUBLES RECAP
1. de la Pradilla/Auge (OCU) def. Bello/Herrera (HU) 6–3
2. Bucur/Kurshinskaia (HU) vs. Trembach/Sparks (OCU) 4-3 DNF
3. Rizzato/Mast (Huntington) def. Nowak/Puente (OCU) 6–2