THE ATENEO Lady Eagles defeated De La Salle University (DLSU) with a score of 3-2 in the last team tie of the first round of the Season 79 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Tennis tournament held on Wednesday, March 1 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts, Manila.

This win puts the team at a 1-3 record in the elimination round, standing in 4th place above the winless DLSU Lady Archers.

In the first singles match, Jana Pages’ powerful groundstrokes bowed out against the consistent play of Rachelle de Guzman, 2-6, 1-6. In the second singles match, Khrizelle Sampaton and DLSU’s Chang Atangan exchanged games. Lone breaks of serve made decided the first and second sets as Sampaton took a 7-5, 6-4 win. In the third singles match, Nicole Amistad was unable to overcome Jenni Dizon’s powerful baseline shots, as the Lady Eagle lost, 4-6, 4-6.

In the first doubles match, Jessica Agra and Team Captain Jana Hernandez secured a win against Princess Castillo and Jed Aquino. The Lady Eagle pair converted break points late in the first and second sets to run away with a 6-4, 6-4, straight-set victory. Meanwhile, Rocio Climent and Alexis McLean were up against Kylla Orillossa and Kianna Gacias. The teamwork between Climent and McLean was evident, as the pair balanced baseline hits with timely interventions at the net to take a comfortable 6-1, 6-3 win that marked the Lady Eagles first win in the tourney.

Afterwards, the Lady Eagles had a rather lengthy post-match huddle where they discussed their mindset heading into the second round. “Since this is our first win, we want to carry it to the second round,” Hernandez said.

The Lady Eagles end their barren run in the Season 79 UAAP Tennis tourney against DLSU, 3-2.

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