Virginia Women's Tennis Falls 4-1 to Tennessee in NCAA Second Round
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May 11, 2003
KNOXVILLE, TENN – The University of Virginia women’s tennis team lost a hard-fought 4-1 match Sunday to No. 7 seeded Tennessee in a second round NCAA Tournament match at the UT Varsity Courts. The loss closes out on of the finest seasons in Cavalier tennis history as reached the second round of the tournament and posted 16 dual match wins.
Tennessee took a 1-0 lead in the match by winning the doubles point. The Lady Vol team of Tammy Encina and Breanna Kray won at No. 3 doubles before the No. 5 ranked team of Vilmarie Castellvi and Melissa Schaub rallied to defeat Henriette Williams (Raleigh, N.C.) and Jennifer Tuchband (Millburn, N.J.) 8-6 at No. 1 doubles to clinch the point.
The Cavaliers opened singles play by tying the dual match at 1-1 as Lori Stern (Ojai, Calif) defeated Melissa Schaub in straight sets. Tennessee would retake the lead minutes later as Sabita Marahaj won at No. 5 singles for the Lady Vols. Tennessee would extend that lead to 3-1 after Crystal Cleveland posted a straight set win at No. 3 singles. Tammy Encina would clinch the match at No. 2 singles for Tennessee with her 6-4, 6-4 win over Tuchband.
“Tennessee defended their home turf in fine fashion today,” stated Virginia head coach Phil Rogers. “I have a tremedous amount of respect for Mike Patrick and his program. I think we gave them everything they could handle today and I am extremely proud of the effort from our team. We proved again today that we are a difficult team to put away because we will fight to the end.”
Virginia closes out the season with a 16-10 record. Tennesee will advance to the NCAA Round of 16 in Gainesville, Fla. on Thursday, May 15 where they will play Vanderbilt.
No. 7 seed Tennessee 4, No. 25-28 seed Virginia 1
Singles:
1. No. 1 Vilmarie Castellvi (UT) led No. 100 Henriette Williams (UVa) 6-3, 6-5 DNF
2. No. 59 Tammt Encina (UT) def. No. 70 Jennifer Tuchband (UVa) 6-4, 6-4
3. No. 51 Crystal Cleveland (UT) def. Kristen James (UVa) 6-2, 6-2
4. Lori Stern (UVa) def. Melissa Schaub (UT) 6-3, 6-0
5. Sabita Marahaj (UT) def. Dora Bechliwanis (UVa) 6-2, 6-3
6. Ashley Robards (UT) led Marta Bechliwanis (UVa) 6-4, 4-3 DNF
Doubles:1. No. 5 Castellvi/Schaub (UT) def. No. 38 Tuchband/Williams (UVa) 8-6
2. No. 44 K. James/Stern (UVa) vs. Cleveland/Maharaj (UT) 8-8 DNF
3. Encina/Kray (UT) def. Bruch/Montgomery (UVa) 8-2