RICHMOND, Va. – The Bruce Myers era is officially underway, and in a big way, after the Lancers took their first dual match of the spring, 4-3, over Villanova Friday at the Westend Club. Returning four of its top six performers, Longwood was poised for improvement under its new head coach, and the Lancers displayed just that in knocking off the Big East's Wildcats.

"I am obviously extremely proud of the players with a win against a quality Big East opponent like Villanova," said an ecstatic Myers. "It helps to validate the extra time and effort the players have been putting in on court and in the weight room."

The Lancers split the singles' points with the Villanova, getting victories from Maria Coronel, Mason Thomas and Nicole Parker. Coronel knocked off Alexandra Krogius (6-4,6-3) in the second slot, while Thomas and Parker provided a spark from the bottom of the order. Thomas defeated Linley Busby 6-0,6-0, sending the dual to a decisive final match. That's where Parker clinched the win by felling Kate Pettee 7-6 (7-2), 6-2.

Longwood sealed the doubles' point by sweeping the first two doubles matches. The top duo of Malin Allgurin and Paloma Alatorre took down Villanova's Samantha Schafer and Victoria  Martinez (8-6) while Anna Pelak and Nicole Parker followed suit with an 8-6 victory over Tori Smyth and Krogius. Earning the doubles point sparked the upset victory, which came as no surprise to the new Lancers' head man.

"I think the players have done a great job embracing the underdog role and using it to their advantage," Myers praised. "Each player emails me almost every day looking for private lessons in the down time.  Today, getting the doubles point and having Mason Thomas take care of business in quick fashion really set the tone for the rest of the team.  They fed off this early momentum and closed the match out rather quickly.  Even with a tough loss by Malin Allgurin at #1 Singles - the rock of the team, the players let her know that we are truly a team and that they had her back." 

The 4-3 win marks the first time since 2008 that Longwood has opened its spring season with a victory. The Lancers now have a week to prepare for their home opener versus Bucknell on Feb. 7 at 11 a.m.

"With this being only the first match of the spring season, we certainly have a lot to work on between now and our next match against Bucknell," Myers readily admitted. "But I think we can continue to improve and I know the players will do what it takes and make the necessary adjustments to get even better."
 
Longwood 4, Villanova 3
January 30, 2015
Westend Club (Richmond, Va.)
 
Doubles
No. 1     Malin Allgurin/Paloma Alatorre (LWU) d. Samantha Schafer/Victoria Martinez 8-6
No. 2     Anna Pelak/Nicole Parker (LWU) d. Tori Smyth/Alexandra Krogius 8-6
No. 3     Maria Coronel/Mason Thomas (LWU) vs. Linley Busby/Kate Pettee DNF
 
Singles
No. 1     Tori Smyth (VIL) d. Malin Allgurin 7-5, 4-6, 10-8
No. 2     Maria Coronel (LWU) d. Alexandra Krogius 6-4, 6-3
No. 3     Victoria Martinez (VIL) d. Anna Pelak 6-2, 7-6 (2)
No. 4     Samantha Schafer (VIL) d. Paloma Alatorre 6-4, 6-0
No. 5     Mason Thomas (LWU) d. Linley Busby 6-0, 6-0
No. 6     Nicole Parker (LWU) d. Kate Pettee 7-6 (7-2), 6-2
No. 7(x)                Aphrah Brokaw (VIL) d. Lauren Tucker 6-2, 6-1