Special Report from App State Sports. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the team score knotted at 3-3, Helena Jansen surged to a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win at No. 1 singles over Jill Morse to send App State to a 4-3 victory at Queens on Saturday.
It was the first road win of the year for the Mountaineers (2-1), who were facing a Queens team (0-1) making its Division I debut after going 16-2 last year with a conference title and NCAA Division II Tournament appearance.
“I’m really proud of the way we competed today against a much-improved Queens team,” head coach Ashleigh Antal said. “Every match is an opportunity for us to take a step forward in our preparation for conference, and today was definitely a test of our toughness and ability to come up against adversity. I’m happy with the way we’re steadily improving, and hoping to continue to build on this win moving into next weekend.”
App State got off to a strong start by winning the doubles point with a clean sweep at all three doubles courts. Jansen teamed up with Ellie Murphy for a 7-5 win at No. 1. Maggie Pate and Savannah Dada-Mascoll won 6-4 at No. 2, while Brooke Gruber and Virginia Poggi triumphed 6-1 at No. 3.
The Mountaineers then got quick singles wins from Olwyn Ryan-Bovey at No. 6 (6-2, 6-1) and Dada-Mascoll at No. 3 (6-4, 6-0). Queens captured the next three singles points before Jansen’s dramatic finish.
App State remains on the road for its next six nonconference matches. Davidson is up next on Saturday, Jan. 28.
