The Eastern Michigan University women’s team won Saturday, picking up its third straight victory at the Chippewa Racquet Club. It defeated Duquense University, 5-2, at the first meeting of the schools.
The Dukes (5-7) were ready to play, claiming victory in doubles play 1-0, winning 2-of-3 matches. However, the Dukes fell to the returns and aces of junior Xu Chang.
Chang won both her matches, winning EMU’s only doubles match alongside Georgia De’Lisle-Tarr 8-3, and winning her singles match against Sam Noble 6-3, 6-2.
“Doubles play has to improve, we are putting emphasis on that,” EMU coach Ryan Ray said. “Singles win more points and more points wins matches. We know that.”
Combined, the Eagles’ singles players won six of the last seven games in the match, and in all their wins they did not drop a set. The lone loss came at the hands of Megan O’Sullivan, over sophomore De’Lisle-Tarr 6-2, 6-2.
Freshmen Julie Breuss and Celine Donnet won their singles matches. Breuss defeated Ana Mungo 6-2, 6-2, and Donnet beat Tara Majdalani 6-3, 7-6.
The Eagles (5-6 going into Sunday’s match at Michigan State) did not stop there, as sophomores Miriam Westerink and Karina Ahuja won their matches in straight sets. Westerink defeated Rachel McGowan 6-2, 6-2, and Ahuja outplayed Erin Convoy 6-3, 6-4.
The Eagles have been struggling with injuries of late.
Ray said, “We have a bit of injuries right now. We are not at full strength.”
