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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's tennis team earned its first divisional championship in school history on Tuesday, defeating Bloomsburg University 6-3 and clinching the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division title at the Keystone Courts.
The Golden Bears (7-6, 5-0 PSAC East) continued their brilliant play in conference play and stretched their winning streak to five. With only one conference match to go in the regular season, Kutztown cannot drop out of the No. 1 slot in the East as West Chester is currently in second at 5-1 in PSAC East play with Kutztown holding the tiebreaker with a head-to-head victory.
“I think this season has exceeded all of our expectations,” Kutztown head coach
Suresh Ramamurthi said. “At the beginning of the year, our main goal was to put together a decent record, work hard and simply make the playoffs.”
“Especially this fall and winter, our team worked extremely hard in the gym to get physically strong so that it would make us mentally strong,” Ramamurthi continued. “The girls are fit, fighting and working hard, and it translated into some good wins when we really needed it.”
Two of the significant factors to the women's program building itself to this high caliber have been seniors
Ridhima Borooah (Guwahati-Assam, India/Modern School; Barakhamba Road; New Delhi) and
Rachel Grula (Drums, PA/Hazleton Area). Both four-year members of the Golden Bears, the duo have acted as tremendous leaders both on and off the court. They have each overcome great adversity that has helped inspire their teammates to a divisional title.
“Since Rachel walked on the team her freshman year, she has turned into one of the most valuable members of our team,” Ramamurthi said. “She is very strong mentally, and plays calm and relaxed. She gives her teammates tremendous support and is a great role model.”
Borooah's season has been a magical one after overcoming major surgery last year. Now leading the team with 10 singles victories, the senior has joined Grula in leading the Golden Bears this season.
Both players won in both singles and doubles play on Tuesday against the Huskies (4-8, 3-4). Borooah did not allow a point in her straight set victory at No. 1 singles.
Hannah Pipkin (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield), Grula, and
Tori Zander (Pennsburg, PA/Upper Perkiomen) also won in straight sets in singles play.
Pipkin and Borooah won at No. 1 doubles 8-3, and Grula and Zander won 8-6 at No. 2 doubles.
The Golden Bears take on East Stroudsburg on Friday, April 12 in its conference-season and home-finale beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Keystone Tennis Courts. The PSAC playoffs will begin with the quarterfinals next Tuesday, April 16.
