WILMINGTON, Del.—In the season opener for both teams on Friday afternoon, Villanova (0-1) fell by a final score of 7-0 to Delaware (1-0) at Delcastle Tennis Center. The host Blue Hens captured the doubles point with a sweep of all three matches before going on to win the six singles matches that followed.
 
"Obviously this was not the result that our guys were looking for today, but it was extremely refreshing to get a match in for the first time in 11 months," Villanova head coach Brad Adams said. "I could tell the guys were a little nervous when they stepped on the court, but they competed hard and it was the first step to knocking a lot of rust off the wheels."
 
Sophomore Justin Suarez (Manila, Philippines) extended his opponent to a tiebreaker in the No. 5 singles position, taking the first set 7-6 before falling in the second set by a 6-1 count. Freshman Anthony Prokurat (Manalapan, N.J.) made his collegiate debut for the Wildcats, playing in the No. 2 doubles match with sophomore Daniel Cheng (Los Angeles, Calif.) in addition to competing in the No. 4 singles position.
 
"We were shorthanded with multiple players out, but I was very pleased with how those that haven't typically played within the lineup performed and competed," Adams said. "We look forward to using our practice time over the next week and make sure we are improving every day."
 
Villanova returns to action when it visits Navy next Saturday (February 20) for a 2 p.m. match in Annapolis, Md.
 
DELAWARE 7, VILLANOVA 0
February 12, 2021
Wilmington, Del. | Delcastle Tennis Center
 
DOUBLES

1. James Wilkinson/Pierre-Louis Dodens (Delaware) defeated Alex Kim/Justin Suarez (Villanova) 7-5
2. Pierce Gilheany/Julian Chousa (Delaware) defeated Daniel Cheng/Anthony Prokurat (Villanova) 6-2
3. Liam Hedlund/Guilherme Valdoleiros (Delaware) defeated Daniel Martinez/Collin Klumb (Villanova) 6-2

Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1
 

SINGLES 

1. James Wilkinson (Delaware) defeated Alex Kim (Villanova) 6-0, 6-3
2. Pierre-Louis Dodens (Delaware) defeated Daniel Martinez (Villanova) 6-1, 6-2
3. Pierce Gilheany (Delaware) defeated Daniel Cheng (Villanova) 6-4, 6-1
4. Liam Hedlund (Delaware) defeated Anthony Prokurat (Villanova) 6-2, 6-3
5. Julian Chousa (Delaware) defeated Justin Suarez (Villanova) 6-7, 6-1, 1-0
6. Guilherme Valdoleiros (Delaware) defeated Matthew Jones (Villanova) 6-3, 6-4

Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 5