Generals Dominate Singles at Christopher Newport Invite

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – What started as a shaky afternoon in doubles turned into a statement of depth and composure from the Washington and Lee women’s tennis team on Sunday, as the Generals claimed six of nine matches against host Christopher Newport at the Christopher Newport Invite.

They dropped two of three in doubles. Then they went to work.

After that 1–2 start, the Generals stormed through singles, taking five of six contests and doing it with authority: every victory came in straight sets.

First-years Set the Tone

Susanna Whitehead rolled to a 6-2, 6-0 win, imposing herself from the baseline and never loosening her grip once she found her range. On the next court, fellow first-year Manavi Bedi went one better on the scoreboard, handing out a 6-0, 6-0 shutout that underlined just how quickly she has settled into collegiate tennis.

The underclassmen weren’t alone.

Sophomore Sarah Ladd dug in for one of the day’s tighter battles and still found a way to close in two, edging out a 6-2, 7-6 (4) decision. She had already left her mark earlier in the session, teaming with Whitehead to secure the Generals’ lone doubles win, a sharp 6-2 performance against Molly Miller and Kylie Schaefer that kept Washington and Lee in touch after the opening round.

On an adjacent court, fellow sophomore Margarette Berdy had control of her match when it ended early. She led Christopher Newport’s Anna Bong 6-2, 2-1 before claiming the win by default, another point on the board and another sign of the Generals’ stranglehold on singles.

The experience in the lineup added its own layer of reliability.

Junior Mary Kate Kahl quietly stitched together a perfect singles weekend. After winning on Saturday, she moved to 2-0 in singles at the Invite with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Lindsey Bergelin, steadying herself in the second set to shut the door and keep her record spotless.

One piece of unfinished business lingered from the previous day.

Washington and Lee had stood on match point in doubles against Hampton on Saturday before that contest went unfinished. Hopes of resuming that clash on Sunday disappeared when the Generals never got the chance to take the court again against the Pirates, leaving that particular chapter open.

The larger story, though, was clear: a team that wobbled early in doubles responded with a ruthless, confident sweep through singles, powered by first-years making a fast impression and returners reinforcing the program’s standards.

Now the Generals head back to Lexington with momentum in their bags and a bigger stage on the horizon. Preparation begins for the ITA Southeast Region Championships at the University of Mary Washington from September 25–28, where this blend of fresh talent and proven performers will be tested against some of the region’s best.