After dropping their first two games of the season, the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets fought off Mount Aloysius in a tough home contest, ending 4-3 in favor of Waynesburg.

Saturday’s victory was defined by a strong performance from the back four singles. Sophomore Julia Umshares reached super tiebreak, collecting the victory with back-to-back set wins. 

“Things really started to click for Julia last spring.” Head coach Randy Pettit said. “She has been playing some great tennis since and has continued that consistency this fall.  She has been playing really well and gets stronger as the match goes on.” 

As well as Umshares, freshman Taylor Stephens earned her first win with two close sets in 3rd singles, and seniors Julia Corey and Alli Bailey also notched their first wins of the year on Saturday.

The Yellow Jackets have a tight stretch ahead of them, with four games in seven days, starting with a conference bout against Saint Vincent. 

 “They know that the rest of the season is a sprint and will be ready to compete,” Pettit said.

Conference play has not been kind to the Yellow Jackets, as they haven’t won a conference match since April 13, 2021, where they downed Bethany 8-1.

“It’s not a secret that this program hasn’t won a conference match in a while,” Pettit said. “The girls know that, and they have team and individual goals that they are striving to accomplish this year.”

Waynesburg continues play with a conference matchup against Saint Vincent on tomorrow, first serve will be at 6 p.m.