^{Senior Bella Spinazze and Sophomore Julia Zlateva celebrate after their doubles win. Courtesy | Ashley Van Hoose}

Sophomore Emma Palus played and won her first singles match of the season to help the women’s tennis team defeat Roosevelt University 6-1 at home March 8, bringing its season record to 6-3.

Everyone on the team shifted to a higher position in the lineup because junior Ané Dannhauser, who usually plays at No. 1 doubles and singles, was recovering from a calf strain, according to head coach Melanie Zampardo. 

Freshman Dimitra Papastavrou and sophomore Briana Rees won 6-2 at No. 1 doubles. 

“It was really exciting to play at No. 1 doubles, even though I was a little nervous when we first stepped onto the court,” Papastavrou said. “It’s always fun to play with Briana because her energy pushes you to compete at your best level. We quickly found our rhythm and didn’t allow our opponents to stay close in the score.”

Senior Bella Spinazze and sophomore Julia Zlateva were down at the beginning of the No. 3 doubles match, but wound up winning 7-5, according to Zampardo. 

“All of a sudden they turned it on,” Zampardo said. “They turn up the energy, and they just get it done.”

Rees won a three set match 2-6, 7-6, 6-1 at No. 1 singles.

“She just battled out a really tight match,” Zampardo said. “It was hard for her playing at No. 1, just being right next to the crowd, but she got more comfortable as she went, and she just started playing her game, and she did great.”

Papastavrou won 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. Zampardo said Papastavrou has played a lot of matches that go into a third set this season, which require mental stamina because the players are tied 1-1 and the third set determines the match. 

“One of the best moments for me was when three of us were playing third sets at the same time and we could see and cheer for each other,” Papastavrou said. “That support really helped me stay motivated and focused until the end.”

Palus won 6-4, 6-0 at No. 6 singles.

“She played so well,” Zampardo said. “Her breaking through and getting that first singles match out of the way, and then also winning, is just awesome.” 

Palus said she enjoys playing at No. 6 because she played that position at her previous school. 

“The match was fun,” Palus said. “I was not stressed at all. It was definitely something I was familiar with and comfortable with, so nothing new. Just another day at the office. I’ve been playing really well for the past two weeks, so I was happy I could execute that during match play.” 

The Chargers will travel to Texas over spring break to play Midwestern State University Texas March 16, and Tarleton State University March 17. 

“The season has started very strong, and I believe the best is still ahead of us,” Papastavrou said. “We always compete with everything we have until the last point, and everyone supports and encourages each other. That’s what makes me excited for every upcoming match.”