Syracuse University
Rutgers
SU Topped at Rutgers in BIG EAST Battle
3/1/2009 7:23:35 PM | Tennis
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Following a four-game homestand outside of the BIG EAST, the Syracuse women's tennis team (8-2, 2-1) suffered its first conference defeat, 5-2, when the Orange took to the road against Rutgers at the RU Tennis Bubble on Sunday afternoon.
Sophomore Christina Tan and freshman Alessondra Parra kept their BIG EAST singles records clean with victories at the No. 2 and No. 4 posts, respectively, but the doubles element of the match did not go the Orange's way for only the second time this season.
The third-year union of Chelsea Jones and Ashley Spicer emerged victoriously by toppling Katherine Arlak and Christine Tran, 8-2, in the second doubles match. Spicer and Jones have compiled a team-best 9-1mark at the No. 2 position this season.
Tan smothered Arlak with a 6-3, 6-0 triumph at the No. 2 while Parra paraded against Jennifer Holzberg, 6-4, 6-1, at the No. 4 match.
Freshman Emily Harman lost her first BIG EAST match of the season, third overall, to Amy Zhang while trying to hold down the No. 1 spot in a tiebreaking nail biter, 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (5-0).
Sophomore Simone Kalhorn tried her hand against Polina Zaretser at the No. 3 slot for just the second time this season playing in that role. Kalhorn, who lost her doubles match to Morgan Ivey and Holzberg, 8-4, with partner Parra at the No. 3 game, was topped by Zaretser, 6-2, 6-3.
In the No. 5 match, Spicer was bested for only the second time this season by Maryana Milchutskey, 6-3, 6-4, while Jones lost 6-2, 6-2, to Ivey in the No. 6 match. Despite Sunday's setbacks, both Jones and Spicer lead the team with eight victories, apiece.
Syracuse returns to action in West Point, N.Y. when the Orange travels 30 miles to take on Army at noon on Monday. Monday's matinee was originally scheduled to be play at Drumlins Tennis Center on SU's campus, but impending inclement weather has kept SU on the road. The Orange has the weekend off before traveling to the Sunshine State to combat two teams from Florida (Florida International and South Florida) during its spring break trip.
DOUBLES
1. Zaretser/Zhang def. Harman Tan, 8-4
2. Spicer/Jones def. Arlak/Tran, 8-2
3. Holzberg/Ivey def. Parra/Kalhorn, 8-4
SINGLES
1. Zhang def. Harman, 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (5)
2. Tan def. Arlak, 6-3, 6-0
3. Zaretser def. Kalhorn, 6-2, 6-3
4. Parra def. Holzberg, 6-4, 6-1
5. Milchutskey def. Spicer, 6-3, 6-4
6. Ivey def. Jones, 6-2, 6-2
