CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – With Easter just a day away, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's tennis team wasn't interested in delivering Easter eggs on Saturday, but rather a goose egg. The Islanders recorded their ninth shutout of the season with a 7-0 victory over visiting Lamar.
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"This is what it's all about," Director of Tennis Steve Moore said after the match. "They gave a special effort. Without a doubt it was the most focused effort of the year."
A&M-Corpus Christi improved on its already unblemished record, moving to 15-0 overall and 6-0 in Southland Conference play with the win. It marked the second shutout in league action and the Islanders' first since March 12 when they blanked Southeastern Louisiana.
"This team just absolutely chose the character road today," Moore said. "It's amazing what happens when everyone puts the team before themselves and everyone pours their heart and soul into it."
The Islanders won two doubles matches and was up in the third to clinch the first point of the day, and things only got better from there. The Blue and Green did not give up a single set to the Cardinals, winning every singles match to come away with the 7-0 victory.
"It's these days that define your character," Moore said. "Yesterday was not our most tenacious, focused effort, but man, they came out today and made a statement. That says a lot about this team."
Celia Rodriguez and Maider Martin won 6-4 at number two doubles, while Hortense Boscher and Alexandra Belle were victorious by a score of 6-3 at third doubles to clinch the first point.
It was Martin and Rodriguez finishing up the quickest again in singles play. The former won 6-0, 6-1 at number five singles and the latter won at number four singles by a mark of 6-2, 6-1 to put the Islanders ahead 3-0.
Rodriguez's victory was special though. It was the 63rd of the senior's career, setting a new program record for singles wins. She passed Sandra Burges, who finished her career with 62 for the Islanders.
"What's special about Celia is that she does the rarest and most difficult thing for an athlete to do in sports," Moore said. "She truly shows up and competes like a pit bull with all of her heart, always, every match. That is the most special and rare talent in sports.
"And to add on to that rare consitency, she is always about the team and the team first," Moore went on to say. "She pours her entire heart and soul in to this team. Celia is just a special girl."
Kerry Galhos clinched the win for the Islanders, coming out on top 6-0, 6-2 at six singles. Boscher then won 6-1, 6-2 at number one and Judit Vives earned a 6-2, 6-3 win at number five to make it 6-0.
Both teams then watch as A&M-Corpus Christi's Jelena Dzinic and Lamar's Andrea Ivanovic finished their marathon of a match. Dzinic was able to outlast Ivanovic, winning 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3) and give the Islanders the shutout.
The Islanders will next hit the road for a two-match road trip, starting Tuesday at 12 p.m. at Stephen F. Austin. A&M-Corpus Christi then plays at Nicholls on Thursday at 11 a.m. before returning to the Island.
