Following the big home win over Florida International the Deacs hit the road for seven straight road games spanning four states in 25 days.  The Deacs began the trip against rival N.C. State in their first ACC match of the season. Wake put up a tough fight in the doubles matches but ended up losing all to head into singles down a point.

Michael Crouse/Old Gold & Black

Going into singles play senior Aileen Davis said coach Skorupka “emphasized the fact that we needed go out there, move our feet, fight for every point and redeem ourselves after a poor doubles point.” Coach Skorupka’s word worked as the Lady Deacons came out firing in singles.  Freshman Kathryn Talbert and Davis both picked up big wins in singles but it ultimately wasn’t enough as Wake fell to the Wolfpack 2-5.

After the tough loss to N.C. State the Deacs continued their southern road trip as they headed to Columbia, S.C. looking to score the upset over the 20th ranked Gamecocks of South Carolina.

Once again Wake headed into singles down a point as they dropped all three doubles matches by an extremely slim margin.

The number one doubles team of Sasha Kulikova and Talbert lost a close 6-8 decision while the doubles duo at two and three both lost by scores of 5-8.  However, once again it looked as if Wake was making a comeback as Kulikova secured her second win over a top 100 opponent this season and Anna Mydlowska picked up a hard fought win at the number six spot. But it was a unfortunately too little, too late as the Gamecocks won the rest of the singles matches handing the Lady Deacons their second consecutive loss.

After two tough losses in a row and a tough match looming against the College of Charleston the Deacons knew they needed to refocus and get down to business.  Davis said the team “focused hard and got done what we needed to.”  The Deacs came roaring out of the gate, sweeping all three doubles matches for the fourth time this season and headed into singles only four points from victory.  At number one singles Kulikova set the tempo for the Deacs singles players as she overpowered her opponent winning big 6-1, 6-0.  Following her lead, three other Deacons wrapped up victories as Emilee Malvehy, Ryann Cutillo, and Katarina Reveche leading the Deacs to a 5-2 win.

With the victory the Lady Deacons improved to 6-6 on the season and look poised to make some noise as they enter their ACC schedule.

“It will be a long stretch of away matches but it really doesn’t have much effect on our game,” Davis said. She is confident that the team can compete at the highest level.