Katherine Nowicki, Catherine Canady, and Natalie Gorham all pulled out tough singles wins to lead Stetson to a 5-2 victory over Wofford Saturday afternoon at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center.

“It was a good start to the season,” said head coach Sasha Schmid.  “Wofford is a good team, well coached and they always fight very hard.  We had to respond to pressure situations at every match, so it was a great test for everyone.”

Nowicki and Gorham were put to the test in their first official home matches.  Nowicki outlasted Cayley Wetzig, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 in the #2 singles match.  Gorham defeated McKenzie Carson in two long sets, 7-5 and 7-6 (6). 

“I was happy to see Freshman Natalie Gorham and Katherine Nowicki pull through in very difficult singles matches,” said Schmid.

Catherine Canady took care of Sabrina Smyers in three sets, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the #4 match.  Wofford had only five players, so two of Stetson's wins came via default. 

Schmid said, “We are pleased to get the win, and looking forward to playing the University of Florida on Thursday.”

Singles

Position      Result

#1            Henry (Wofford) def. Atkinson (Stetson), 4-6, 6-1, 6-3

#2            Nowicki (Stetson) def. Wetzig (Wofford), 6-1, 5-7, 6-4

#3            Hodges (Wofford) def. Leonenko (Stetson), 6-1, 6-3

#4            Canady (Stetson) def. Smyers (Wofford), 3-6, 6-2, 6-2

#5            Gorham (Stetson) def. Carson (Wofford), 7-5, 7-6 (6)

#6            Stetson wins by default

Doubles

Position

#1            Wetzig/Henry (Wofford) def. Nowicki/Atkinson (Stetson), 8-4

#2            Canady/Leonenko (Stetson) def. Hodges/Smyers (Wofford) , 8-4

#3            Stetson wins by default