BY GIGI PICARD ’22
The Lyons kicked off their season with a 9-0 shutout against host Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts on Sunday, Sept. 15. The competition began with doubles and moved to singles play.
Ching Huang ’20 and Annissa Aamoum ’22 began doubles with a defeat over the Simmons Sharks, 8-1. Catherine Peabody ’20 and Anya Geramisova ’21 followed up the win with an 8-2 victory. Doubles play was wrapped up with an 8-2 win for the Lyons by Shweta Kiran Cavale ’23 and Hannah Middleton ’22.
“I think this was a really great way to open the season,” Geramisova said about the win. “We have not had too much time to practice because of the start-date of our season. However, being able to open the season with wins from everyone on the team really meant a lot for us.”
Middleton added that she thought her win with Cavale was a good opener to the season. Middleton thinks that they could be a solid doubles team going forward.
When competition transitioned to singles matches, Huang overpowered her singles opponent 6-1, 6-0. Geramisova also came out with a 6-1, 6-1 singles win. Peabody beat her opponent 6-3, 6-2 and Cavale was able to edge her singles opponent 6-2, 6-1.
Next up, Aamoum shut out her opponent 6-0, 6-0 and Middleton crushed her opponent 6-2, 6-0. Middleton said that the match really enabled her to work on fundamentals and learn what she needs to improve for harder matches.
The Lyons are headed to the Tennis Hall of Fame Invitational in Newport, RI on Friday, Sept. 20. Geramisova explained that the Tennis Hall of Fame Tournament only includes doubles and has the added challenge of grass courts. Cavale added that grass requires fast adjustment.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to work hard with the team in both matches and practice,” Geramisova said. “Everyone on the team is very close this year and I am really excited to continue competing together.”