Tennis Tripped Up By #3 Virginia

Saturday, March 1

Syracuse, NY

12 pm

Syracuse University

Virginia

3/1/2014 6:23:00 PM | Tennis

Rhiann Newborn Posts First Win Over Nationally Ranked Opponent

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse women's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision to nationally-ranked No. 3 Virginia (8-2, 3-0 ACC) on Saturday, March 1 at Drumlins.

"I thought we were in a great battle today. I think we got outplayed on some of the bigger points, but we were on every court," said interim head coach Shelley George. "This is the number three team in the country and we went toe-to-toe with them today. I'm really proud of the effort that the girls put forth. "

Freshman Rhiann Newborn notched the only win for the Orange (1-8, 1-3 ACC) on the third court against nationally-ranked No. 47 Rachel Pierson. The two went head-to-head, forcing the first set into a tiebreaker. Newborn won her second set convincingly and came away victorious, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.

Syracuse lost all three doubles matches to fall behind 1-0 in the match. Senior Maddie Kobelt and freshman Valeria Salazar exchanged points with nationally-ranked No. 7 Julia Elbaba and Pierson throughout the entire match. However the Cavalier duo broke serve and went on to take the match, 8-6. It was Kobelts/Salazar's first loss since Atlantic Coast Conference play began.

After the outcome was already determined with Virginia taking a 4-0 lead, Syracuse's remaining individuals made the Cavaliers fight for their last two points. Junior Amanda Rodgers and freshman Maria Avgerinos each dropped their first sets at the second and sixth spots, respectively, but came back to even the score with second-set wins. Both eventually lost the super tiebreaker 10-5.

The Orange will host Florida State next weekend on Friday, March 7 at 2 pm. at Drumlins.

No. 3 Virginia 6, Syracuse 1

Singles Results:
1. #4 Julia Elbaba (VA) def. Maddie Kobelt (SU) 6-3, 6-3
2. #58 Danielle Collins (VA) def. Amanda Rodgers (SU) 6-2, 3-6, 10-5
3. Rhiann Newborn (SU) def. #47 Rachel Pierson (VA) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
4. #42 Stephanie Nauta (VA) def. Valeria Salazar (SU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Maci Epstein (VA) def. Komal Safdar (SU) 6-0, 6-3
6. Marie Faure (VA) def. Maria Avgerinos (SU) 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 10-5

Doubles Results:
1. #7 Julia Elbaba/Rachel Pierson (VA) def. Valeria Salazar/Maddie Kobelt (SU) 8-6
2. Danielle Collins/Li Xi (VA) def. Komal Safdar/Rhiann Newborn (SU) 8-3
3. Stephanie Nauta/Maci Epstein (VA) def. Olivia Messineo/Amanda Rodgers (SU) 8-2