Tennis Welcomes Villanova to Drumlins in Midst of Three Matches in Four Days
3/24/2008 5:00:51 PM | Tennis
Match Notes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Orange tennis team resumes a season-best five-match homestand against BIG EAST foe Villanova on Tuesday, March 25 at the Drumlins Tennis Center at 2:00 p.m. Syracuse briefly steps away from its non-conference schedule with a meeting against in-state foe Colgate on Wednesday, March 26 at 4:00 p.m.
With Sunday’s match against conference rival Pittsburgh, the Orange’s clash with the Raiders will be its third in a four-day span. Syracuse owns a 4-1 record at home in 2008.
Orange Rewind
Syracuse will look to rebound from a dramatic 4-3 setback against the Panthers on March 22. The Orange rallied from a 3-0 deficit before Carlie Smith’s win against sophomore Chelsea Jones in the No. 5 singles contest supplied the visitors with the victory.
After surrendering the doubles’ point and losing the first two singles matches, freshman Jacquelynn Tang ignited the Syracuse rally with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win at the No. 6 position. Junior Maria Vasilyeva (2-6, 6-3, 6-2)and sophomore Ashley Spicer (1-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2) capped the rally with two come-from-behind victories.
Vasilyeva’s triumph was her team-leading 12th of the season, while Tang captured her 10th. Spicer ended a six-match slide with the win, as well. In doubles action, Spicer and Jones notched an 8-5 win at No. 2.
Villanova • 3-5, 2-1
The Wildcats ended a three-match losing streak with a 5-2 win against Seton Hall, its first of the season in BIG EAST play. Villanova collected its third win of the season behind four victories in singles play. Carla Erksine led the charge with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 triumph at the No. 1 position. Erksine and doubles partner Emily Urda earned a convincing 8-0 win at No. 3.
Urda leads the Wildcats with a 7-6 record in singles play, including a 4-0 mark at the No. 3 position. Courtney Reed matches Urda with a team-high seven wins. Villanova has tallied a 1-3 mark on the road this season.
Colgate • 7-4
Colgate opened the 2008 season with six-straight victories, including three 7-0 sweeps and two 6-1 triumphs. However, since March 1, the Raiders have lost four of their last five matches. In Colgate’s last win, a 4-3 decision versus NJIT, Erin Fenn and Jackie Stimmel led the singles charge with victories at No. 5 and 6, respectively. The Raiders are 2-2 away from home this season.
