Orange Claw Past Panthers, 6-1

PITTSBURGH, Pa.- The No. 32 Syracuse women's tennis team picked up its third consecutive win on Friday afternoon, defeating Pittsburgh in Atlantic Coast Conference play by a final score of 6-1.

Syracuse (11-6, 5-6 ACC) took the doubles point over Pittsburgh (7-10, 1-10 ACC) and never looked back. With the victory, Syracuse moves into the middle of the pack in the ACC standings and will seek its fourth straight win on Sunday when the squad takes on Louisville.

No. 26 doubles pair Valeria Salazar and Gabriela Knutson locked up the first doubles win with a 6-1 victory over Audrey Ann Blakel and Lolade Ogungbesa. Following the Salazar and Knutson win, Maria Tritou and Nicole Mitchell sealed the doubles point with a 6-2 win over Gabriela Rezende and Natsumi Okamoto.

Moving to singles play, Tritou delivered Syracuse a 2-0 advantage with a two-set win by taking down Rezende 6-1, 6-4. Salazar then made it 3-0 with two 6-3 wins over Ogungbesa.

With a 3-0 deficit, Pittsburgh eventually got on the board, as Amber Washington defeated Dina Hegab 6-1, 7-5. Although the Panthers came within two points, Syracuse took the match when it was freshman Libi Mesh sealing the victory with a win over Clara Lucas 6-4, 6-4.

No. 69 Shkudun made it 5-1 after climbing back from a 6-0 first-set loss to defeat Blakely 6-2, 6-4 in the next two. No. 81 Knutson beat Callie Frey in two tie-breaker sets 7-6, leading the Orange to a 6-1 win over Pittsburgh.

Below are the full match results:

#32 Syracuse 6, Pitt 1

Singles competition
1. #69 Anna Shkudun (SU) def. #111 Audrey Ann Blakely (UP) 0-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. Valeria Salazar (SU) def. Lolade Ogungbesan (UP) 6-3, 6-3
3. #81 Gabriela Knutson (SU) def. Callie Frey (UP) 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1)
4. Maria Tritou (SU) def. Gabriela Rezende (UP) 6-1, 6-4
5. Amber Washington (UP) def. Dina Hegab (SU) 6-1, 7-5
6. Libi Mesh (SU) def. Clara Lucas (UP) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. #28 Valeria Salazar/Gabriela Knutson (SU) def. Audrey Ann Blakely/Lolade Ogungbesan (UP) 6-1
2. Amber Washington/Callie Frey (UP) vs. Anna Shkudun/Dina Hegab (SU) 5-2, unfinished
3. Maria Tritou/Nicole Mitchell (SU) def. Gabriela Rezende/Natsumi Okamoto (UP) 6-2

Match Notes: Syracuse 11-6, 5-6 ACC; National ranking #32 Pitt 7-10, 1-10 ACC Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (4,2,5,6,1,3)

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Players Mentioned

Dina Hegab

Gabriela Knutson

Libi Mesh

Nicole Mitchell

Valeria Salazar

Anna Shkudun

Maria Tritou

Syracuse University Athletics