Tennis: WVU Beats Syracuse in BIG EAST Opener
February 18, 2007 06:53 PM | General
February 18, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – West Virginia University’s tennis team opened its BIG EAST season with a key victory over Syracuse, 5-2, on Sunday, Feb. 18, in University Park, Pa.
The win marks the second consecutive victory for the Mountaineers (4-4, 1-0) over the Orange. WVU last defeated Syracuse, 4-2, in the first consolation round of the 2006 BIG EAST Championship. Before that, Syracuse owned a 10-0 record over WVU.
“After yesterday’s loss to Penn State we doubted ourselves,” says first year coach Marc Walters. “But we were able to turn things around today and really show the depth we have in our line-up.”
A key to today’s victory was the determination and solid play the Mountaineers demonstrated in their doubles matches. Junior Monica Lyskawa and senior Kelly Walsh were able to nab the point for the team when they defeated Catherine Zadawadzki and Carolina Huignard in the No. 2 match, 8-5.
“The doubles point was a huge boost for us and those two really stepped their game up to make sure we scored that point,” says Walters.
Lyskawa continued her dominance at the No. 3 singles spot, defeating Zadawadzki, 6-1, 6-3.
Also having a big day for the Mountaineers was freshman Stephanie LaFortune, who defeated Huignard in the No. 4 singles match, 7-5, 6-2.
Walters inserted new faces into the bottom of the line-up, and two freshman produced quality wins for WVU that secured the day’s victory.
Making her singles debut, freshman Alexandra Kaluza defeated Chelsea Jones in the No. 5 match, 6-2, 6-2.
Fellow freshman Gabriela Blaskovicova earned her first singles victory of the year, defeating Anne Magellen in the No. 6 match, 6-2, 6-2.
“The new faces in today’s line-up really gave the whole team some solid, good energy,” Walters says.
The Mountaineers have no time to rest after this weekend’s matches as they host UMBC on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The noon match will be played at the Ridgeview Racquet and Fitness Club.
West Virginia 5, Syracuse 2
Singles
1. Olga Votavova (SU) defeated Natalia Prinz (WVU) (6-1, 6-3)
2. Maria Vasilyeva (SU) defeated Stacey Percival (WVU) (6-2, 6-0)
3. Monica Lyskawa (WVU) defeated Catherine Zadawdzki (SU) (6-1, 6-3)
4. Stephanie LaFortune (WVU) defeated Carolina Huignard (SU) (7-5, 6-2)
5. Alexandra Kaluza (WVU) defeated Chelsea Jones (SU) (6-2, 6-2)
6. Gabriela Blaskovicova (WVU) defeated Anne Magellen (SU) (6-2, 6-2)
Doubles
1. Votavova/Victoria Vasilyeva (SU) defeated Prinz/Percival (WVU) (8-6)
2. Walsh/Lyskawa (WVU) defeated Zadawadzki/Huignard (SU) (8-5)
3. LaFortune/Blaskovicova (WVU) defeated Jones/Magellen (SU) (8-3)
