Kobelt Joins Century Club As SU Breezes Past Pitt

Results

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Senior Maddie Kobelt defeated a nationally-ranked opponent at first singles to claim her 100th career victory as No. 61 Syracuse breezed past Pittsburgh, 6-1, on Friday, April 4.

Kobelt became the 30th member in program history to earn a spot in the Century Club and just the seventh to do so in the past 10 years. To do so, Kobelt had to knock off Audrey Ann Blakely, the 114th ranked player in the country in three sets. After falling 6-7 (4-7) in the first set, Kobelt battled back to win the next two 6-3 and 7-6 (7-3) for the tiebreaking win. It was her third career triumph over a ranked player in singles action and second this season.

Syracuse (4-10, 4-5 ACC) won all six singles matches, including five in straight sets on courts two through five. The Orange had to overcome a slow start however, after losing the opening point to Pittsburgh (4-10, 0-10 ACC) in doubles action. SU, which won on the road for the first time this season, has now won four of its last seven matches.

"After losing a touch doubles point, every player came out firing in singles and took every court in a decisive win over another ACC opponent," said head coach Shelley George.

Juniors Amanda Rodgers and Komal Safdar each posted two wins on the day, teaming up for an easy 8-2 victory at third doubles in addition to their individual wins. Rodgers got things underway in singles for SU with a 6-3, 6-3 win at second singles over Taylor Washington, while Safdar defeated Molly Wickman 6-3, 6-2 at the sixth spot.

The Orange's three other wins were all recorded by freshmen. Valeria Salazar registered the clinching point after downing Kimmy Borza 7-5, 6-4 at fourth singles. Rhiann Newborn topped Lolade Ogungbesan 6-2, 6-3 on the fourth court and Maria Avgerinos held off Amanda Wickman 6-2, 7-5 at fifth singles for her second collegiate win.

Syracuse wraps up its road trip at Maryland on Sunday, April 6 at 11 a.m.

Doubles competition

1. Taylor Washington/Audrey Ann Blakely (PITT) def. Valeria Salazar/Maddie Kobelt (SU) 8-7 (7-5)

2. Jocelyn Lu/Lolade Ogungbesan (PITT) def. Rhiann Newborn/Maria Avgerinos (SU) 8-3

3. Amanda Rodgers/Komal Safdar (SU) def. Kimmy Borza/Katherine Castro (PITT) 8-2

Singles competition

1. Maddie Kobelt (SU) def. #114 Audrey Ann Blakely (PITT) 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)

2. Amanda Rodgers (SU) def. Taylor Washington (PITT) 6-3, 6-3

3. Rhiann Newborn (SU) def. Lolade Ogungbesan (PITT) 6-2, 6-3

4. Valeria Salazar (SU) def. Kimmy Borza (PITT) 7-5, 6-4

5. Maria Avgerinos (SU) def. Amanda Wickman (PITT) 6-2, 7-5

6. Komal Safdar (SU) def. Molly Wickman (PITT) 6-3, 6-2