March 5, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - The Penn State women's tennis team (2-8, 0-2) returns home this weekend for a non-conference match-up with the No. 71 Shockers of Wichita State on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Penn State Indoor Tennis Center. Admission to the match is free.
Penn state is coming off a 6-1 loss on the road at then-No. 37 Ohio State last weekend. On the No. 3 court, senior Dorothy Dohanics (Pittsburgh, Pa.) topped the Buckeyes' Angela DiPastina in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. Senior Leyla Morzan (Vancouver, British Columbia) hung with Cami Hubbs throughout fourth singles, but was edged, 7-5, 7-5.
The doubles pairing of sophomore Denisa Zobeideh (Weston, Fla.) and junior Lauren McCarthy (Danbury, Conn.) has picked up three wins for the Nittany Lions this season in the No. 2 spot. The pair picked up a win over Deanna Bailey and Isabell Raich of then-No. 45 Marshall, 8-5.
This weekend's match is the second all-time meeting between Penn State and Wichita State. In their first meeting, the then-No. 69 Shockers ended a four-match Nittany Lions win streak with a 5-2 win.
Wichita State (8-2, 1-0) come to Happy Valley after being edged by No. 75 Nebraska on Wednesday, 4-3. The Shockers won five straight matches prior to the loss, including a 5-2 upset over then-No. 66 Oklahoma State on Feb. 28.
Freshman Lutfiana Budiharto holds a 5-1 singles record playing in second and third singles for the Shockers. Senior Anna Egoroa, who holds an 8-2 record in No. 1 singles, has received accolades as Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks.
Penn State travels to Florida next week for a two-match road trip. The Nittany Lions take on South Florida on Friday, March 13 at 2 p.m. and then travel to Central Florida for a 2 p.m. match on Saturday, March 14. The Lions return home to host in-state rival Lehigh on Thursday, March 19 at 4 p.m.