Syracuse wins every set against Niagara in 7-0 season-opening win

After opening the 2017 season with five-consecutive road games and a 1-4 record, Syracuse head coach Younes Limam wanted a change to start 2018.

Instead of road matches all over the eastern half of the country, Limam wanted the Orange to start the new season in Syracuse. With classes getting underway last week, the Orange spent the week at home, adjusting to daily practices and schoolwork while not having to travel.

“I felt that this year it was important to start at home and build confidence,” Limam said. “They did a great job managing the nerves, it’s never easy to come in and play the first match.”

Playing in the indoor confines of the Drumlins Country Club, Syracuse (1-0) opened its 2018 season with a 7-0 win over Niagara (3-1) on Sunday afternoon. In 100 minutes, the Orange won all 15 sets played on the day, sweeping all three doubles matches and six singles matches. Playing without Miranda Ramirez, who missed the match to rest, the Orange rolled over the Purple Eagles, dropping just 16 games total within the 15 sets played.

Limam said that he has yet to determine what SU’s best lineup is, and that he will be tinkering with the lineup early in the season to see who is suited best to play in what position. On Sunday Ramirez rested, and her typical doubles partner, Gabriela Knutson, sat out doubles.

“We tell the team that the lineup doesn’t really matter, we come in as a team and try to have a successful day,” Limam said. “At the end of the day, playing one and six singles is the same to me, you just have to get a point.”

Knutson may not have played doubles, but the junior shined at first singles. Despite struggling with her first serve for parts of the opening set, she found a rhythm, cruising to a 6-1, 6-1, win over Stella Peisakhova. Knutson outgunned Peisakhova, displaying movement and her power all over the court, especially from the backhand wing.

“I don’t think I’m rusty, but it’s definitely nerves,” Knutson said. “Because I’m thinking about a lot, my teammates, my opponent, the crowd, stuff going on around me that doesn’t happen in practice.”

At the bottom of the singles ladder, Dina Hageb made quick work of Sharlee Deshmukh, winning both sets without dropping a game. In doubles, the SU junior played alongside fellow Masha Tritou as the pair won 6-0 to clinch the doubles point for the Orange.

Tritou had the most competitive match of the day at fourth singles, winning 6-3, 6-4. Trailing 15-30 on her serve at 4-all in the second set, she battled back. At 30-all, Tritou worked her way up to the service line in the rally and hit a forehand down the line that grazed the line as it flew into the back curtain. Once holding serve, Tritou broke the ensuing game, ending the match.

Just days after arriving at SU, Sofya Golubovskaya earned her first career point for the Orange at second singles. First, she partnered with Anna Shkudun in a 6-0 win in doubles. Then, she was the first to finish in singles, winning 6-1, 6-1. Golubovskaya, from Russia, joined the team this week.

“I am delighted to be here and join the team,” she said. “It’s easy to play opponents that hit the ball like your game, but you have to do something to put more pressure on her.”