Women's Tennis Falls at No. 22 VCU 4-3

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Feb. 22, 2003

RICHMOND – The No. 42 Virginia women’s tennis team dropped a close 4-3 match at No. 22 Virginia Commonwealth Saturday. The loss was the second consecutive one for the Cavaliers against a highly-ranked opponent and drops their season record to4-3.

VCU opened the match by taking a 1-0 by winning at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles to take the doubles point. First-years Lori Stern (Ojai, Calif.) and Kristen James (Clifton, Va.) won 9-8 at the No. 2 position for Virginia.

The Cavaliers rallied in singles to win three matches, falling just short in the overall dual match. Fourth-years Henriette Williams (Raleigh, N.C.) and Jennifer Tuchband (Millburn, N.J.) led the Cavalier charge with their straight set wins at No. 1 and No. 2 singles. However, Dora Bechliwanis’ (Etobicoke, Ont.) three set win at No. 6 was the Cavaliers’ only other win.

“We were happy with how the team rebounded in singles after dropping the doubles point,” said Virginia head coach Phil Rogers. “We played some tough matches against some quality opponents so far this season and we are looking forward to start playing some outdoor matches now.”

Virginia returns to action the first week of March when they travel to Florida for spring break to play nationally ranked foes Boston College, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, and Miami (Fla.)

No. 22 VCU 4, No. 42 Virginia 3

Singles:1. Henriette Williams (UVa) def. Christina Arribas (VCU) 7-5, 6-22. No. 112 Jennifer Tuchband (UVa) def. Silvia Urickova (VCU) 6-3, 7-53. Marina Escobar Martinez (VCU) def. Lori Stern (UVa) 6-3, 6-14. No. 96 Barbora Zahnova (VCU) def. Kristen James (UVa) 6-4, 7-55. Beatriz Cabrera (VCU) def. Marta Bechliwanis (UVa) 6-2, 6-46. Dora Bechliwanis (UVa) def. Ana Franco Lopez (VCU) 3-6, 6-3, 11-9

Doubles:1. Urickova/Zahnova (VCU) def. Tuchband/Williams (UVa) 8-12. K. James/Stern (UVa) def. Cabrera/Arribas (VCU) 9-8 (2)3. Escobar Martinez/Lopez (VCU) def. Bechliwanis/Bechliwanis (UVa) 8-1