Towson, Md. – The Juniata women's tennis team gave top seeded Goucher a tough match Wednesday afternoon, but fell just short of unseating the first ranked Gophers. Once more, the Eagles showed the resolve that had helped them set records all season long. In what proved to be their last match in the 2012-13 season, coach Jason Cohen's pre-season focus on toughness and work ethic proved evident within in the team, as it had all year.
The Eagles took an early lead on the Gophers as the doubles pair of freshman Jacklyn Renninger (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) and sophomore Cara Stough (Friendsville, Md./Northern Garrett) took the first doubles match by a score 8-4. However, the Eagles dropped the other two matches in doubles play and battled in singles competition, but could not fend off Goucher. The Eagles' future is bright, however. Not only did the young doubles partners, Stough and Renninger, earn an important victory, but another underclassman, freshman Tori Gray (York, Pa./Central York) took one of Juniata's two singles victories on the day as well.
In 2013-14, Juniata will look to build on what was a historical season in 2012-2013. Gray, Stough, and freshman Yana Kohler (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) all surpassed what had been the previous single season win record in the past five years. In addition to that, the Eagles, as a team, set the mark for most individual wins in the last five years, with 120. Furthermore, they closed the season with three conference wins, which was the highest total for a Juniata team since 2000. Head coach Jason Cohen set a record of his own, with the most wins in a full, inaugural season, with 13.
On the year, the Eagles finished 13-6 and proved their grit through their remarkable ability to win away from home. Juniata finished the season 7-1 on the road, and 4-2 at neutral sites. They also tied the record for the most wins in a single season in program history. Next year, the Eagles will return every player from this record-setting team.
Juniata Women's Tennis Results
Goucher 5, Juniata 3
Doubles
1. Ariel Lin/Meaghan Lee (GOU-W) def. Heather Waring/Megan Phillips (JUNW) 8-6
2. Alex Walsh/Addie Maxwell (GOU-W) def. Mitsuki Koh/Tori Gray (JUNW) 8-5
3. Jacklyn Renninger/Cara Stough (JUNW) def. Emily Ruff/Kelsey Turner (GOU-W) 8-4
Singles
1. Ariel Lin (GOU-W) def. Heather Waring (JUNW) 6-3, 6-0
2. Meaghan Lee (GOU-W) vs. Megan Phillips (JUNW) 7-5, 3-6, 1-2, unfinished
3. Alex Walsh (GOU-W) def. Jacklyn Renninger (JUNW) 7-5, 6-3
4. Cara Stough (JUNW) def. Addie Maxwell (GOU-W) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
5. Tori Gray (JUNW) def. Emily Ruff (GOU-W) 6-0, 6-1
6. Kirsten Cianci (GOU-W) def. Yana Kohler (JUNW) 6-7 (8-10), 6-4, 6-1
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