Feb. 21, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - The Penn State women's tennis team hung with another ranked opponent today, taking two singles victories in a 5-2 loss to No. 35 Boise State. Senior Lauren McCarthy (Danbury, Conn.) pulled out a 6-4, 7-6 win in fifth singles, while freshman Petra Januskova (Ottawa, Canada) defeated a second-straight nationally ranked opponent on the No. 1 court, 6-0, 7-5.
"I am pleased with Petra and McCarthy's performance today," said head coach Dawna Prevette. "They made adjustments in their games and reaped the benefits."
"We have a week of adjustments to make to ensure we are ready for VCU on the road," Prevette continued. "They are extremely tough and we need to be prepared."
Boise State opened the match win an early 1-0 lead after sweeping the doubles competition. The Broncos extended their lead and clinched the match by winning the first three singles bouts. Januskova put Penn State on the board with her win as Boise State followed with a victory on the No. 6 court to put the score at 5-1. McCarthy wrapped up the day with another Penn State win to put the final score at 5-2.
Opening the match in doubles play, Elyse Edwards and Bianca Jochimesen topped sophomore Maria Prishlyak (Kiev, Ukraine) and freshman Sarah Henderson (Auckland, New Zealand) in third doubles, 8-1. The nation's No. 33 doubles pair of Lauren Megale and Pichittra Thongdach clinched the doubles point for the Broncos with an 8-4 win over Sarah Lotto (Toronto, Ontario) and Januskova on the No. 1 court.
Following in second doubles, McCarthy and sophomore partner Michaela Stracar (Jericho, N.Y.) dropped a close 8-5 decision the Stephanie Jasper and Marlena Pietzuch.
With Boise State leading 1-0, the match moved into singles play. Stracar fell in straight sets to Jasper, 6-3, 6-1, followed by a 6-0, 7-6 Bronco win on the No. 2 court as Megale defeated Lotto. Jochimsen clinched the match victory for the Broncos with a 6-2, 7-6 win over Prishlyak in third singles.
Next on the No. 1 court, Januskova dominated the first set, shutting No. 27 Pichittra Thongdach out, 6-0. After falling behind her nationally ranked opponent in the second set, 3-5, the Nittany Lion freshman rallied to take a 7-5 and put Penn State on the scoreboard.
"Petra is a great competitor and she rises to the challenge [even when she is down]," Prevette said.
The Broncos notched a fifth point as Henderson forfeited to Edwards in the No. 6 bout. McCarthy closed out the day on a high note for Penn State, collecting a straight-set victory over Pietzuch in fifth singles, 6-4, 7-6.
The Lions are on the road next weekend to take on No. 36 VCU in Richmond, Va. Penn State returns home the following weekend to resume Big Ten play against Ohio State on Friday, March 5 at 3 p.m. Live statistics will now be available for all Penn State home matches on the women's tennis page at www.GoPSUSports.com
No. 35 Boise State 5, Penn State 2
Doubles
1. #33 Lauren Megale/Pichittra Thongdach (BSU) def. Petra Januskova/Sarah Lotto (PSU), 8-4
2. Stephanie Jasper/Marlena Pietzuch (BSU) def. Lauren McCarthy/Michaela Stracar (PSU), 8-5
3. Elyse Edwards/Bianca Jochimsen (BSU) def. Maria Prishlyak/Sarah Henderson (PSU), 8-1
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2
Singles
1. Petra Januskova (PSU) def. #27 Pichittra Thongdach (PSU), 6-0, 7-5
2. Lauren Megale (BSU) def. Sarah Lotto (PSU), 6-0, 7-5
3. Bianca Jochimsen (BSU) def. Maria Prishlyak (PSU), 6-2, 7-6
4. Stephanie Jasper (BSU) def. Michaela Stracar (PSU), 6-3, 6-1
5. Lauren McCarthy (PSU) def. Marlena Pietzuch (BSU) 6-4, 7-6
6. Elyse Edwards (BSU) def. Sarah Henderson, 1-0, default
Order of Finish: 4, 2, 3, 1, 6, 5