By Joe Clark | Staff Writer

A pair of underclassmen led Xavier women’s tennis last weekend at the University of Cincinnati Pam Whitehead Invitational.

Sophomores Emily Thomas and Hunter Roper finished in second and third place in points scored in singles matches for the Musketeers.

Thomas, who teamed up with junior Ahmeir Kyle, finished second in points scored in doubles matches.

Xavier began the tournament with a singles match against Bowling Green.

The Musketeers  went 5-1 against the Falcons with wins from Kyle in the No. 1 spot, Thomas in the No. 2 spot, junior Kaitlin Ruether in the No. 3 spot, sophomore Anna Letto in the No. 5 spot and senior Lauren Fitz-Randolph in the No. 6 spot.

The Musketeers carried that momentum in a doubles match against UT-Chattanooga, sweeping the Mocs 3-0 behind wins from Kyle and Thomas in the No. 1 spot, senior Rachael Reichenbach and Ruether at No. 2 and Roper and Fitz-Randolph in No. 3.

Xavier closed out the day with another singles match, this time against Cincinnati, which the two teams split 3-3.

Kyle, Roper and Reichenbach claimed victories in the top three spots for Xavier, but the Bearcats managed to win the final three spots to even the match. 

On Saturday, Xavier opened the day with doubles play against Bowling Green. It dropped the No. 1 match 6-4, but picked up wins in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots.

In the final round of doubles, Xavier took on UC, where the Musketeers once again took two out of three matches, this time winning in the No. 1 and No. 3 spots while losing the No. 2 spot.

Xavier beat out Chattanooga 3-2 in the final round of singles, with Roper picking up a 6-4, 6-4 win in the No. 2 spot and Ruether winning 6-4, 6-2 in third singles.

The Musketeers also won in the No. 5 spot, 4-6, 6-3, 10-4.

Xavier’s schedule rolls along in an extended set of matches at the ITA Regional Championships, which will take place from Thursday through Monday in Murfreesboro, Tenn.