Syracuse University
Florida International
SU Starts Up Spring Break Slam at FIU
3/11/2009 10:09:37 AM | Tennis
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse continued to dictate doubles play in its three-match weekend as the Orange won 2-of-3 points, 9-of-11 on the season. SU vaulted out to an 8-1 start after defeating Cornell, 4-3, marking the best in program history since the 1978-79 team went 10-0. The Orange unfortunately suffered a pair of setbacks at Rutgers and Army, both by a 5-2 final score. Syracuse's loss at Rutgers denoted the team's first lost in BIG EAST play. The team had its plans altered when the Orange was supposed to travel back to Drumlins to host Army, but a powerful Northeastern winter storm prevented the team from traveling too far and was forced to play against the Black Knights in West Point, N.Y.
The Orange will try and rebound in sunnier surroundings as head coach Luke Jensen escorts his team to take on Florida International and conference foe South Florida for the team's spring break trip. Syracuse collides with the Panthers on March 12 in Miami and then will venture north for the fourth league match of the year in Tampa on March 15 against USF.
The Panthers are tabbed No. 56 in the country and will be the first ranked team the Orange will face this season.
Last week's events transpired in an unusual manner as all six singles players finished with a 1-2 record and all three doubles pairings went 2-1.
Junior Chelsea Jones hit the 50-career win plateau with her doubles victory at Rutgers. Jones and classmate Ashley Spicer have been a force at the No. 2 doubles spot by compiling a 9-2 record on the year. The third-year pairing is tied for the best doubles mark on the team in addition to an 8-3 solo record which is best on the club.
Sophomore Simone Kalhorn earned her debut at the No. 3 singles spot last weekend. Kalhorn recorded SU's only singles victory at Army which also counted towards her 70th career match donning the Orange. Kalhorn is 7-4 in singles action this year and has amassed a 6-3 mark with partner freshman Alessondra Parra in doubles play.
Parra graced the No. 4 position for the first time this season and was one of two players to notch a singles victory at Rutgers. The Vienna, Va. native owns a 7-4 total in solo action.
Sophomore Christina Tan enjoyed her 20th career doubles win with partner freshman Emily Harman with the win at Army. Tan and Harman are the other duet to have posted a 9-2 doubles record this season. Harman shouldered the No. 1 singles duty last week and grinded out a crucial victory to aid in SU's victory against Cornell. Tan notched her seventh singles triumph of the season in Piscataway while manning the No. 2 post.
Peeking at the Golden Panthers
•The Panthers are pegged the No. 56 team in the country and will act as Syracuse's first ranked opponent of the season.
•Florida International is 8-5 in dual play this season and is currently riding a three-game winning streak. The Panthers have already faced six nationally ranked opponents this year.
•Liset Brido has assembled the Panthers' best singles mark at 10-3. Brido has gone 9-1 in her last 10 matches. Maria Pazo and Mariana Muci represent FIU's doubles threat with a team-best record of 7-2.
•FIU is led by first-year interim head coach Melissa Appelbaum.
Bull Rush
•South Florida is currently 2-7 but most recently just knocked off No. 35 Ohio State to start off an eight-match home stand. The Bulls will play BIG EAST power No. 3 Notre Dame and Penn State before the Orange invades Tampa on March 15.
•Irene Rehberger has played the last three matches at the No. 1 singles slot and has defeated two ranked opponents in consecutive outings. She is 2-1 when manning the top spot.
•The Bulls lost the doubles point but beat the Buckeyes, 5-2, marking the first time USF was edged in doubles play but won the match, overall.
•USF is led by fourth-year head coach Agustin Moreno. He is 51-20 in his tenure with the Bulls.
