Kayla Blackburn and Casey Runyan each recorded 6-0, 6-0 victories in their singles matches to lead the winning effort
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The 29th-ranked Slippery Rock University women's tennis team recorded a resounding 9-0 victory Thursday afternoon over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division rival Shippensburg (2-11, 0-3) in the regular-season finale.
The win improved The Rock's overall record to 18-3 and gave the Green and White a 4-1 mark in division play. The latter mark is good for a second-place finish in the division standings.
The Rock will open PSAC postseason competition Tuesday with a 4 p.m. home match against Mercyhurst, the No. 3 team in the division. The winner of that match will advance to the conference semifinals April 24.
Leading the way for The Rock in Wednesday's match were senior
Kayla Blackburn and junior
Casey Runyan, who each recorded a "double-bagel" 6-0, 6-0 victory in singles action.
The Rock's No. 2 doubles team of junior
Laura Handy and sophomore
Chelsea Gibson also posted a shutout as the tandem won an 8-0 decision.
Blackburn and fellow senior
Lara Rizzi were honored prior to the match as part of The Rock's "Senior Day" festivities.
Complete results of Thursday's match were as follows:
DOUBLES
No. 1 -- Kayla Blackburn/
Jessica Hilborn (SR) def. Ali Horvath/Calli Weidler 8-1
No. 2 -- Laura Handy/
Chelsea Gibson (SR) def. Monica Berardi/Jess Lodek 8-0
No. 3 -- Lara Rizzi/
Casey Runyan (SR) def. Robin Light/Hannah Lolley 8-2
SINGLES
No. 1 -- Blackburn (SR) def. Horvath 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 -- Handy (SR) def. Lodek 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 -- Hilborn (SR) def. Light 6-0, 6-1
No. 4 -- Gibson (SR) def. Lolley 6-3, 6-2
No. 5 -- Rizzi (SR) def. Berardi 6-1, 6-0
No. 6 -- Runyan (SR) def. Weidler 6-0, 6-0