By Anthony DiFilippo

From September 16, 2022

WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Sept. 16) – Waynesburg University’s women’s tennis team claimed their first win of the season at home against La Roche by a score of 9-0. The Yellow Jackets (1-3, 0-2) have now beaten the Redhawks in all three of their matchups all-time (2012, 2014). 

The win on Friday also marks the first win in the career for Interim Head Coach L. Randy Pettit. The win may go on his record, but Pettit doesn’t credit himself for the result. 

“I know I got the credit for that, but the real credit goes to the girls and to my assistant Alyson Johnson,” Pettit said. “She has worked really hard to get the girls where they are and to improve their play. Some have improved so much in a short time.”

Even though the team won each of their matches, it wasn’t easy all the time. Senior Hayley Sweeney lost the first set of her singles match 6-0 and then rebounded with 6-0 and 10-8 wins in the next two sets. Pettit commended her specifically, but also the team as a whole.

“They played really well. Hayley and Marina started the day off with a nice win in their doubles match,” Pettit said. “I’m really proud of how Hayley rebounded, being down to a quality opponent, and pulling out the win in tie breakers.” 

The previous day, the girls had been shut out by a PAC opponent in Thiel. Pettit explained how they were able to rebound so quickly and pull off a shutout of their own. 

“I know it sounds cliché, but it really was a team effort,” Pettit said. “They are having some fun out there and supporting each other on the court.” 

When talking about what they need to do to keep the momentum going, Pettit kept it short and simple.

“They need to continue to work hard and believe in their abilities,” Pettit said. 

The Yellow Jackets’ next matchup will be against a tough PAC opponent in Grove City. 

The Wolverines are currently sitting at a record of 5-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.  

Waynesburg has never defeated Grove City in 19 all-time matchups.

“I want to see continued improvement,” Pettit said. “They are putting the work in and it will pay off for them.”

Pettit talked about what he wanted to see against a tough opponent. 

“Grove City is one of the better teams in the conference,” Pettit said. “We’re starting to hit a tough stretch of schedule, so we have to continue to work and improve as much as possible and continue to believe in their game.”

The team will head to Grove City on Sept. 22 to play the Wolverines at 4 p.m.