Tennis: WVU Falls in BIG EAST Opener
February 24, 2008 10:20 PM | General
By Steve Stone for MSNsportsNET.com
February 24, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University tennis team was defeated by BIG EAST rival Pitt, 4-3, on Sunday, Feb. 24, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
WVU’s recent three-match winning streak was snapped after splitting the six singles matches but losing the doubles point.
The Mountaineers (4-2, 0-1 BIG EAST) got wins from Monica Lyskawa, Ashley Pilsbury and Stephanie LaFortune in singles competition. LaFortune and Lyskawa teamed to get WVU’s only win in doubles.
Lyskawa played well at No. 2 singles, beating Sabrina Visram, 6-4, 6-4, to continue her fine start to the season.
Pilsbury held her own at No. 5 singles by defeating Carlie Smith, 6-3, 7-5, to record her fourth singles victory of the season.
LaFortune filled in at No. 6 singles and earned a 7-5, 6-2, win over Leah Friedman.
Losing the doubles point proved to be the difference for the Mountaineers, as Lyskawa and LaFortune recorded WVU’s only win at the No. 2 spot with an 8-2 victory over Visram/D'Achille.
WVU Head Coach Marc Walters believes his team put forth a solid effort but could not execute at the right time.
“I’m very disappointed, but I give a lot of credit to Pitt,” says Walters. “They out-toughed us at their positions. Our girls gave 100 percent, but losing the doubles point proved to be big. We played well, but they played better.”
The Mountaineers resume play when they travel to Penn State on Friday, Feb. 29, at 5 p.m.
Singles
1) Kristy Borza (PITT) def. Stacey Percival (WVU) 6-3, 6-3
2) Monica Lyskawa (WVU)def. Sabrina Visram (PITT) 6-4, 6-4
3) Elizabeth Adams (PITT) def. Natalia Prinz (WVU)6-3, 6-4
4) Christie D'Achille (PITT) def. Colleen Speaker (WVU)6-3, 6-2
5) Ashley Pilsbury (WVU) def. Carlie Smith (PITT)6-3, 7-5
6) Stephanie LaFortune (WVU) def. Leah Friedman (PITT)7-5, 6-2
Doubles
1) Borza/Adams (PITT) def. Percival/Prinz (WVU) 8-6
2) LaFortune/Lyskawa (WVU) def. Visram/D'Achille (PITT) 8-2
3) Smith/Friedman (PITT) def. Burton/Pilsbury (WVU) 8-6
