Generals Dominate Singles at Christopher Newport Invite

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A shaky start in doubles never rattled the Washington and Lee women’s tennis team. It just delayed the inevitable.

After dropping two of three doubles courts to host Christopher Newport on Sunday, the Generals stormed through singles, claiming five of six matches – every one of them in straight sets – to finish the day with six wins from nine contests at the Christopher Newport Invite.

The response was emphatic.

First-years Susanna Whitehead and Manavi Bedi set the tone with ruthless scorelines. Whitehead rolled to a 6-2, 6-0 victory, while Bedi didn’t surrender a single game in a 6-0, 6-0 sweep, underlining the depth already emerging in the Generals’ new class.

The underclassmen theme didn’t stop there. Sophomores Sarah Ladd and Margarette Berdy added two more singles wins to the tally. Ladd dug in for a tight second set but closed the door in a 6-2, 7-6 (4) win, handling the tiebreak with the composure of a veteran. Berdy had control of her match from the start, leading Anna Bong 6-2, 2-1 before winning by default.

Doubles Performance

Doubles had told a different story early, but even there the Generals carved out a bright spot. Ladd and Whitehead paired up to deliver the lone doubles win, a crisp 6-2 decision over Molly Miller and Kylie Schaefer that hinted at their growing chemistry.

Junior Success

Higher up the lineup, junior Mary Kate Kahl quietly put together a perfect singles weekend. She moved to 2-0 in singles at the event after a 6-1, 7-5 win over Lindsey Bergelin, backing up an earlier victory and giving the Generals another reliable point as the fall schedule gathers pace.

One thread from Saturday remained frustratingly unresolved. Washington and Lee had stood on match point in doubles against Hampton before that contest went unfinished, and hopes of resuming it on Sunday disappeared when the teams were unable to pick it back up.

So the Generals head back to Lexington with no final word on that one – but with plenty of clarity about their form.

Next comes a step up in stakes and stage: preparations now turn to the ITA Southeast Region Championships at the University of Mary Washington, set for September 25–28. With first-years already posting shutouts, sophomores grinding out breakers, and a junior stacking wins, the question is no longer whether Washington and Lee are ready for regional play, but how far this blend of youth and experience can carry them once the brackets go up.