Wake Forest University
Furman
Wake Forest Set to Host Paladins and Eagles on Saturday
2/18/2022 9:55:00 AM | Women's Tennis
One more doubleheader at home for the Deacs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Following a two-week hiatus from match competition, Wake Forest women's tennis is back in action this Saturday (Feb. 19) for its final home doubleheader of the regular season.
Wake Forest is slated to compete outdoors for the first time in its 2022 spring campaign.
The Demon Deacons bring in Furman University (6-3) and North Carolina Central (0-3) as weekend opponents, hosting the former at 11 a.m. and rounding out the afternoon against the Eagles.
In its most recent appearance, Wake Forest bumped up its overall record to 4-2, including a 3-1 clip at home.
The Deacs hold a noteworthy 28-1 mark over Furman in an all-time series that dates back to 1977. Saturday will be the first-ever meeting between Wake Forest and NCCU.
Match Times
Saturday (Feb. 19) - Wake Forest vs. Furman University - 11 a.m.
Saturday (Feb. 19) - Wake Forest vs. North Carolina Central - 3 p.m.
Weekend Theme
'Deacon Day' headlines Saturday's event, as those in attendance will have the chance to partake in a t-shirt giveaway and various outdoor yard games.
Last Time Out
Wake Forest 4, South Carolina 3
Holding a focus on protecting its home court, Wake Forest refused to cool down during Saturday afternoon (Feb. 5), taking down South Carolina in a 4-3 statement victory.
It was the first time since 2006 that the Demon Deacons had defeated the Gamecocks. No. 58 Casie Wooten led the way with a ranked win over No. 118 Megan Davies.
The standout pairing of No. 2 Anna Brylin/Brooke Killingsworth dominated in doubles, not letting up a game (6-0). Shortly afterward, No. 15 Casie Wooten/Samantha Martinelli sealed the first team point with a 6-3 decision. Saby Nihalani/Peyton Pesavento went unfinished in an even match (4-4).
Splitting out of doubles, three ranked matchups in singles took over the indoor tennis center. After winning fourth singles, the Gamecocks evened the match score at 1-1. Brylin and Killingsworth were the first two Deacs to capture wins in singles, getting off to a quick start. Anna Campana fell right in the mix during her opening frame, securing a 6-3 win. After staying heady for a 7-5 win, Casie Wooten came up big down the stretch of her second set, holding on for a 6-4 finish that clinched the victory for Wake Forest.
The Campana sisters, Carolyn and Anna, fell in singles to No. 2 Sarah Hamner and No. 28 Ayana Akli of South Carolina, respectively.
Wake Forest 7, Campbell 0
Part two of Saturday's match action featured a dominant showing by Wake Forest, routing the Campbell Camels.
Each of the Deacs' three duos immediately got in a good rhythm during doubles. Making their second season appearance, Mia Ahmad and Maddie Lynch went first in notching a doubles win (6-1) before No. 2 Anna Brylin/Brooke Killingsworth followed up with a 6-1 decision of their own. No. 15 Casie Wooten/Samantha Martinelli were also on pace to finish on top (4-2) before their match was cut short.
After winning her first set in a sweep, Casie Wooten mirrored the same during her second, putting the cap on an exceptional, individual day. Her fellow teammates jumped on their opponents quickly as well. Wake Forest's players never trailed during set two, as Ahmad, Brylin, Martinelli, and Pesavento all completed their match victories around the same time within the late afternoon. The Deacs then gathered to cheer on Saby Nihalani, and it wasn't long before the senior ended her two-set performance to mark the team's second 7-0 sweep of the season.
New Rankings
Last week (Feb. 9), per updated national rankings released by the International Tennis Association (ITA), Wake Forest continued to see familiar names placed among the lists of singles and doubles.
Singles:
No. 38 - Carolyn Campana
No. 50 - Casie Wooten
Doubles:
No. 9 - Anna Brylin/Brooke Killingsworth
No. 22 - Samantha Martinelli/Casie Wooten
Scouting the Opposition
The Furman Paladins stand at 6-3 overall, having won three of their last four matches. The team has already faced notable opponents, including No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 12 Duke. Furman has a standout senior in Julia Adams, who is currently No. 62 in ITA singles and was named to the All-SoCon First Team last season for both singles and doubles. Sophomore Ellie Schoppe has won all but one of her seven appearances in singles thus far. A doubles pair of Ellis Schulson and Madison Dillon holds a 4-0 record. Furman has played best at home this spring (4-1).
After falling short in its first three contests, North Carolina Central remains searching for its first team victory in 2022. First-years Isabelle Exsted and Kennedy Hill have picked up two solo wins apiece.
Up Next
Wake Forest will pack up and head to Montgomery, Alabama, for the 74th annual Blue Gray National Tennis Classic, held Feb. 25-26.
Players Mentioned
