Spider Sports Recap | Week of Jan. 9

Women’s Basketball

Jan. 11: Loss 54-51 vs. Virginia Commonwealth University

The women’s basketball team lost to Virginia Commonwealth University at home this Wednesday. Despite the loss, sophomore guard Sydney Boone scored a season high 13 points, and had a season high four rebounds. Junior forward Addie Budnik had a team high nine rebounds and five blocks. At the half, the Spiders were trailing the Rams 26-17. During the third quarter, the Spiders were down by 15 points, but were able to overcome that deficit and tie the game at 40 points with 6:59 left of the fourth quarter. Sophomore Katie Hill scored a layup allowing UR to gain the lead, but the Spiders were unable to hold on to it.

Men’s Basketball

Jan. 11: Win 61-57 vs. Davidson College

The men’s basketball team won against Davidson College while on the road this Wednesday. Senior Tyler Burton scored 17 points and had 12 rebounds for his 20th career double-double. Redshirt first-year Jason Nelson made four 3-pointers during the first half of the game, leading UR to a halftime advantage of 33-30. During the second half, the Wildcats started to come back, and brought the score to  59-57 with 25 seconds left. The Spiders were able to hold out and win the game when Burton made two free throws after being fouled during the final seconds.  

Jan. 14: Loss 71-63 vs. St. Bonaventure University

The men’s basketball team lost against St. Bonaventure University this Saturday, ending their three-game winning streak. There was a scoring drought during the first five minutes of the game for both teams, which ended when senior Tyler Burton scored a layup. Sophomore guard Jason Roche and graduate forward Matt Grace each scored two 3-pointers during the final minutes of the first half, bringing the spiders to a 29-23 lead at the half. The Bonnies had a 12-4 run early in the second half to tie the game at 35-35, and later went on to have a 12-0 run to take the lead at 51-39. With just under three minutes left in the game, the Spiders were able to get within four points of the Bonnies, but were unable to overcome the deficit. Richmond also had 15 turnovers this game, giving the Bonnies multiple chances to score.

Swimming and Diving

Jan. 13: Loss 131-169 vs. Villanova University

The swimming and diving team honored its seniors while competing against Villanova University this Friday. In the 50 free, sophomore Abby Fuller achieved first place with a time of 23.56, and senior Lauren Medlin came in second with a time of 23.81. Fuller also took first place in the 100 fly with a time of 56.30. First-year swimmer  Katie Chignell finished first in the 200 free with 1:54.15. In the 100 back, junior swimmer Katelyn Pennell placed second with a time of 57.02, and in the 200 back, first-year swimmer Caroline Weldon placed second with a 2:03.02. In the 500 free, junior swimmer Alexa Connors finished in second place with a 5:08.52. For diving, first-year diver Sally Harrington and first-year diver Tess Weatherhead tied for second on the 3m board, while Harrington finished second and Weatherhead placed third on the 1m. 

Women’s Tennis

Jan. 15: Loss 7-0 vs. Princeton University

The women’s tennis team lost to Princeton University this Sunday. For doubles, seniors Andrea Campodonico and Marta Buendia lost 6-3 to Princeton. Juniors Carly Cohen and Leonor Oliveira lost 6-4 to Princeton, but finished second in doubles. First-year Elizabeth Novak and Lara Bakhaya lost 7-5 to Princeton. For singles, Campodonico fell 2-1 and Cohen also lost to Princeton.

Men’s Tennis

Jan. 15: Loss 7-0 vs. University of Virginia

The men’s tennis team lost against the University of Virginia this Sunday. In doubles, junior Daniel Kliebhan and graduate student William Karpinski lost 6-2. Graduate students John Walsh and Alex Wernink lost 6-4 and junior Alaister Burke and first-year Davis Wiley also lost 6-4. For singles, junior Sebastian Miano won his first set 6-2, but his UVA opponent won the following sets. Wernink’s play resulted in a tiebreaker in the second set, but he lost 13-11. 

Women’s Track and Field

Jan. 13-14: Virginia Tech Invitational

The women’s track and field team traveled to Blacksburg, VA to compete in the Virginia Tech Invitational this Friday and Saturday. Sophomore Virginia Beringer won the 500m and first-year Caroline Donohoe won the 800m. First-year Molly Wise placed third overall in the long jump and currently ranks #1 in the Atlantic 10 Conference for her jump. Though graduate student Kyra Keurentjes and senior Kayla O’Connell placed third and fourth in the 1000m, their times are first and second in the A10 Conference, respectively. Junior Madison Trippett, sophomore Morgan Lyons, Beringer, and junior Elizabeth Stockman ran a 12:00.25 in the Distance Medley Relay,  and are currently ranked first in the A10 Conference and sixth in Division 1 of the NCAA.

contact sports writer Annie Clarkson at annie.clarkson@richmond.edu