LUBBOCK, Texas (March 3, 2025) - Lubbock Christian University women's tennis opened its home slate at the Penny Gullo Tennis Center Saturday with a pair of non-conference victories, securing a hard-fought 5-2 win over Metropolitan State of Denver before shutting out Emporia State 7-0.
 
Lady Chaps Edge MSU Denver 5-2
LCU (7-2) took early control in doubles play, clinching the opening point with decisive wins at the top two positions. The No.14 nationally ranked duo of Axelle Jacquemin and Andrea De Bernardo made quick work of MSU Denver's Kim Heddes and Kambra Roles, winning 6-1 at No. 1 doubles. At No. 2, Anastasiia Opolska and AnaMaria Zoric secured the doubles point for LCU with a 6-2 victory over Hanna Haber and Louise Hosking. The No. 3 match was left unfinished with LCU trailing 3-5.
 
In singles play, No.42 De Bernardo extended LCU's advantage with a dominant 6-3, 6-0 win over Heddes at No. 2, followed shortly by No.26 Opolska earning a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Haber at No. 1. MSU Denver responded at No. 4, where Kambra Roles battled past Jacquemin in a three-set thriller, 7-5, 1-6, 7-5. Zoric added another point for LCU with a commanding 6-1, 6-3 win over Monica Guarin at No. 5. In the longest match of the afternoon, V. Ricuarte-Cabas outlasted Mariia Koroleva at No. 3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, while Maya Adler capped the victory with a 6-1, 6-1 rout of Hosking at No. 6.
 
Lady Chaps Dominate Emporia State 7-0
LCU (8-2) carried its momentum into the second match of the day, rolling past Emporia State without dropping a singles match. The Lady Chaps started strong in doubles, with Jacquemin and De Bernardo dispatching Lilie Bizouerne and Paige Stranghoner 6-3 at No. 1. ESU grabbed a win at No. 3 doubles, with the doubles point decided at court two, where Opolska and Zoric pulled out a clutch 7-6 (7-5) win over Perla Conde and Sheriden Wichman.
 
LCU carried that momentum into singles play, where Opolska cruised past Klimova 6-0, 6-4 at No. 1 to set the tone. Jacquemin followed suit at No. 4, overcoming a second-set stumble to defeat Pesic 6-0, 2-6, 6-2. Koroleva secured the team victory with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 win over Bizouerne at No. 3 for her team-leading 12^th singles win of the season. Zoric continued her unbeaten day with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Wichman at No. 5. De Bernardo showcased her resilience in a grueling battle at No. 2, rallying from a first-set tiebreak loss to defeat Conde 6-7 (8-6), 6-3, 6-3. The match closed with a dramatic super tiebreak at No. 6, where Herath overcame an early deficit to defeat Stranghoner 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-8).
 
Key Performers
For LCU, Andrea De Bernardo and Anastasiia Opolska anchored the Lady Chaps' lineup with two singles and two doubles victories each (Opolska, teamed with Zoric, have won their last four doubles matches when paired). Zoric went undefeated in both matches (seven-match win streak and is 10-0 in singles played in duals), while Oshini Herath's dramatic comeback at No. 6 against Emporia State highlighted the Lady Chaps' depth. LCU's strong doubles performances provided crucial early momentum, securing both doubles points on the day.
 
LCU's shutout marked their third of the season and 12th in program history, including their 10th by a 7-0 score. The Lady Chaps (8-2) improved to 4-1 all-time against MSU Denver and 2-0 against Emporia State. They look to continue their strong start with a trio of matches this week in the DFW area, though schedule adjustments are being considered due to the forecasted rain.