Jan. 29, 2012
University Park, Pa. - After losing two close matches at the start of the season, the Penn State women's tennis team (2-2, 0-0) has stormed back with two dominating victories to even out its record. On Sunday the Nittany Lions defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers (1-1, 0-0), 6-1. Penn State's only lost point came from an injury so the match could not be finished.
Play began with all three doubles pairings taking the court. In the number two slot, Fernanda Perrotta (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Marie-Frederique Bedard (Montreal Canada) got the best of Kimmy Borza and Gabrielle Catanzarita, 8-2. The duo of Carmen Sandor (Toronto, Canada) and Chelsea Utting (Peachtree City, Ga.) finished next in the third doubles spot. The pair fell behind early against the sister combination of Amanda Wickman and Molly Wickman. After putting up a good fight, Sandor/Utting came up short, losing 8-5.
With the first two doubles matches split, the point came down to Petra Januskova (Ottawa, Canada) and Nina Sertic (Zagrab, Croatia). After a long match that was closer than the final score, the pair bested Jocelyn Lu and Taylor Washington, 8-2, to win the doubles point for the Nittany Lions.
In singles action, Bedard faced Amanda Wickman in the number four slot. After jumping out to a quick lead, 3-1, Bedard went down with an injury and couldn't finish the match so Wickman was credited with the retire. Utting was the first Nittany Lion to finish her full match. The sophomore dominated Washington in the No. 3 singles bout, 6-1, 6-0.
Next to finish for the Nittany Lions was Januskova in the number one slot. The junior has not lost a set all season and today was no different as she overpowered Lu, 6-1, 6-3. In an evenly matched No. 2 doubles match, Sandor ultimately bested Catanzarita, 7-5, 6-3.
In the No. 5 dual, Perrotta controlled the match against Molly Wickman. The senior breezed by her opponent, 6-2, 6-1. In the last match of the day, Sertic also picked up a straight set victory against Borza, 6-3, 6-0.
"I was really pleased with the way we played today," said Head Coach Dawna Denny. "Fernanda (Perrotta) had an excellent day, I was really impressed by her in both singles and doubles. Now we all just have to regroup and get ready for Ohio State."
The Nittany Lions will take the court next Tuesday, Feb. 7 when they host the Ohio State Buckeyes in their Big Ten opener. Following that Penn State will hit the road for the first time in over a month when it travels to Richmond, Va. to take on VCU on Sun., Feb. 12.
PENN STATE 6
PITTSBURGH 1
2011 Women's Tennis Yearbook 2012 Roster 2012 Schedule Head Coach Dawna Denny 2012 Tennis Camps
| DOUBLES | SINGLES | F | ||||||||
| #1 |
#2 |
#3 | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | ||
1
6
Doubles
Lu/Washington
#1
8-2
Januskova/Sertic
Borza/Catanzarita
#2
8-2
Perrotta/Bedard
Wickman/Wickman8-5
#3
Sandor/Utting
Order of finish: 2,3,1
Singles
Lu
#1
6-1, 6-3
#96 Januskova
Catanzarita
#2
7-5, 6-3
Sandor
Washington
#3
6-1, 6-0
Utting
Wickman
3-1, retire
#4
Bedard
Wickman
#5
6-2, 6-1
Perrotta
Borza
#6
6-3, 6-0
Sertic
Order of finish:4, 3, 1, 2, 5, 6