Coming off an impressive opening victory against the University of New Hampshire, the Boston University women’s tennis team had a strong showing at the 13th annual Brown Invitational at Brown University.
Eight schools competed at the weekend-long tournament. In addition to BU and Brown University, other schools in attendance included Boston College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Alabama, Syracuse University and Dartmouth College.
With champions in two of the four singles flights and a consistent performance in doubles matches, finishing fourth in all three flights they competed in, the Terriers have started this year off on the right track.
The highlight of the tournament for the Terriers was senior captain Alana Marcu’s victory in flight C. After a first set loss, 6-3, Marcu battled back for a 6-3 victory in the second set, and clinched the championship in the third set tiebreaker, 11-9. This is Marcu’s first Brown Invitational championship.
“Any win feels really good,” Marcu said. “It feels nice to win the Brown Invitational as a senior.”
“This is huge for her,” BU Coach Lesley Sheehan said of Marcu’s victory.
Another big win for the Terriers was junior Elisa Glass’ win in flight D. Glass fell behind in the first set, 4-6, but battled back in the second set, 6-1. She then won the tiebreaker to finish first in flight D.
Other strong performers included junior Hannah Bartell, who finished fifth in flight D, and junior Elena deMendoza, who finished third in flight A.
Junior Lindsey Dynof also had a solid performance at Brown this weekend, winning two singles matches, 6-4, 6-2 and 6-1, 7-5, while losing her other two matches.
“[It’s important to] go out and relax, work on the things we have been working on, and to build our confidence,” Dynof said. “Many of us played six matches in two days.”
While Sheehan emphasized the fall season was focused more on individual competition, this weekend’s tournament is crucial in the development of the team as a whole.
“We need to get out there and put our team together; it was all about getting our lineup set,” Sheehan said.
Marcu echoed Sheehan’s sentiments.
“You can’t make too big of a deal out of tournaments like this,” Marcu said. You have to keep things in perspective. The purpose of tournaments like Brown is to get matches under your belt.”
Sheehan she is pleased with the performance of the four freshmen on the team, who, in addition to adding to BU’s doubles play, have provided solid play in singles matches. Freshman Zuzana Melicherova finished fourth in flight B this weekend.
“This weekend was their first test; they are all going to keep getting stronger,” Sheehan said.
According to Marcu, the Terriers have to “keep looking forward. We can’t relax because next weekend is another tournament.”
The team next plays at the East Coast Athletic Conference Championships next weekend.