NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Norfolk State women's tennis team played three matches over the weekend at the Christopher Newport Invitational. The Spartans took part in a mock dual format facing Hampton and CNU on Saturday, and North Carolina Wesleyan on a rain shortened Sunday.

The first match on Saturday saw the Spartans take a 4-1 victory against familiar foes Hampton. In the doubles portion, Zoe Fraser and Bruna Goncalves beat the Pirates' top doubles team 6-4, while Paula Fortuno and Joyce Fields dropped their match 6-4.

In singles, Fortuno breezed to a 6-2, 6-1 victory against the Pirates top singles player. Fraser won a close tiebreaker victory (3-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-4)) at the two-spot for the Spartans. Goncalves dominated as she went on to win (6-1, 6-2) as the Spartans third single, while Fields lost a close match (7-6, 6-3) as the fourth single.

The second match on Saturday was against CNU, as the Spartans fell 4-3 to the Captains. In doubles Fraser and Goncalves fell (6-2), while Fortuno and Fields dropped their match (6-4).

The Spartans would bounce back in the singles portion, with the 1-3 players getting victories. Fortuno took control in the first set as she went on to win 6-0, 7-5. Fraser had yet another tiebreaker victory, winning by a score of 4-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-5). Fraser dropped the first set in each of her first two matches, but then came roaring back for tiebreaker wins in both. Goncalves kept rolling as the Spartans third single, with another 6-3, 7-6 straight set victory.

The third and final match was on Sunday against NCWC. Both doubles teams of Fraser/Goncalves (6-3) and Fortuno/Fields (6-4) each won their match for the Spartans. Singles play was stopped because of rain, but at the time Fortuno, Fraser, and Goncalves were winning in their respective matches. The trio of Fortuno, Fraser, and Goncalves all went undefeated in singles play over the course of the weekend.

"Just like I said with our men's team, this was a great way to start the season for these ladies. We had a number of our women that went undefeated, representing Norfolk State and our brand of tennis very well. We are looking forward to keep it going this upcoming weekend at the Virginia State Invitational," said head coach Brittany Pilkington Baine.

The teams this upcoming weekend accompanying the host, Virginia State, will be North Carolina A&T, Hampton, Howard, Longwood, Norfolk State and North Carolina Central.


Full Results

NSU vs Hampton 9/14  9am
Doubles:
Fraser/Goncalves won 6-4
Fortuno/Fields lost 4-6
3 Doubles – Wash (No players for either team)

Singles:
Fortuno won 6-2,6-1
Fraser won 3-6, 7-6 (10-4)
Goncalves won 6-1, 6-2
Fields lost 6-7, 3-6
Burke won by default
6 Singles – Wash (No players for either team)
 
NSU vs CNU 9/14 2pm
Doubles:
Fraser/Goncalves lost 2-6
Fortuno/Fields lost 4-6
Three doubles: Defaulted by NSU

Singles:
Fortuno won 6-0,7-5
Fraser won 4-6,7-6, (10-5)
Goncalves won 6-3, 7-6
Fields lost 7-6, 6-3
Burke lost 6-0,6-1
6 Singles: Defaulted by NSU
 
NSU vs. NC Wesleyan 9/15 12pm
Doubles:
Fraser/Goncalves won 6-3
Fortuno/Fields won 6-2

Singles was stopped early due to rain.