Undefeated Orange: SU Tennis Now 5-0

Syracuse 6, West Virginia 1

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Syracuse women's tennis team did not let a two-game road swing disrupt its unblemished record in 2009. Despite losing the doubles point for the first time this season, the Orange crushed West Virginia in singles play, sweeping all six points at the Ridgeview Racquet Club on Saturday afternoon for a 6-1 victory to preserve its undefeated record (5-0, 2-0).

The ferocious duet of freshman Emily Harman and Christina Tan played their fifth straight match together at the No. 1 doubles spot and remained Syracuse's untarnished couple as the two took out Gabriela Blaskovicova and Ashley Pilsbury by an 8-2 final.

The Orange suffered two setbacks at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions, marking the first time SU has surrendered the doubles point in its first five matches. Juniors Ashley Spicer and Chelsea Jones get nipped 9-7 by Stephanie LaFortune and Monique Burton at the No. 2 ranking while freshman Alessondra Parra and sophomore Simone Kalhorn were slighted by Olga Elkin and Veronica Cardenas, 8-5, in the No. 3 seed.

Syracuse rallied around individual action as Tan won her second straight match at the No. 1 singles spot with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph against LaFortune.

Harman served up a 6-3, 6-2 victory at the No. 2 spot against Elkin, extending her overall record to 10-0 (5-0, 5-0).

Parra continued to govern her side of the clay with a 6-2, 6-2 win at the No. 3 position against WVU's Burton.

Spicer knocked off Pilsbury at the No. 4 match by a final count of 6-2, 7-5 to keep her undefeated clip intact.

Kalhorn took out Milica Pantovic in convincing fashion with a 7-5, 6-3 coup at the No. 5 game.

Jones went the distance in the No. 6 match against Cardenas, dropping the first game 5-7, but recuperated in the next two games, 6-2, 11-9.

Sophomore Jacquelynn Tang took part in two exhibition matches and help up her end of the bargain in keeping the Orange's solo slate clean with a win against Catie Wickline, 8-4, and Blaskovicova, 8-2.

Harman, Parra and Spicer look to keep their singles records spotless when the Orange hosts Buffalo on Friday, Feb. 13 at the Drumlins Tennis Center. Syracuse is now 2-0 in BIG EAST action.

SINGLES

1. Tan def. LaFortune 6-1, 6-3

2. Harman def. Elkin 6-3, 6-2

3. Parra def. Burton 6-2, 6-2

4. Spicer def. Pilsbury 6-2, 7-5

5. Kalhorn def. Pantovic 7-5, 6-3

6. Jones def. Cardenas 5-7, 6-2, 11-9

7. Tang def. Wickline 8-4

8. Tang def. Blaskovicova 8-2

DOUBLES

1. Harman/Tan def. Gabriela Blaskovicova/Ashley Pilsbury 8-2

2. Spicer/Jones lost Stephanie LaFortune/Monique Burton 9-7