March 11, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa; March 10, 2016 ââ'¬" After sacrificing the doubles point, the Penn State women's tennis team (4-7) rebounded in singles play against Florida Gulf Coast (5-6), resulting in a 4-3 victory for the Nittany Lions.
After falling in No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, Penn States singles play claimed the win for the team. Four of the six singles matches resulted in a three set play before The Nittany Lions clinched the 4-3 victory.
"Today was a battle," said coach Cagle. "I give our team a lot of credit for the way we competed today. After losing the doubles point, we fought back really hard in singles and earned the win. This match will help us as we transition into Big Ten play."
In singles action, Senior Kim Surin (Montreal, Canada) clinched the win for the Nittany Lions after defeating Breana Stampfli 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, at No. 1 singles. At No. 2 Katia Blik (Moscow, Russia) took the win in her three set match 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, Devan McCluskey (Phoenix, Ariz.) fell 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 at No. 3, as did Samantha Tutelman (New York, NY) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 at No. 6. At No. 4 Jacqueline Zuhse (Boca Raton, Fla) defeated Julianna Curtis 6-3, 7-5, and at No. 5 Senior Katherine Whiteaway (Sawbridgeworth, England) defeated Elizabeth Means 6-2, 6-3.
In doubles action, the Nittany Lions fell at No. 2 and No. 3 sacrificing the doubles point. First Zuhse and Whiteaway fell to Ascua and Curtis 6-3, then Sapogova and Blik fell 6-2. It was too late for Penn State when McCluskey and Surin clinched their doubles match at No. 1 against Stampfli and Treyes Albarracin 6-4.
Penn State will travel to Minneapolis, Minn., for its second conference match against Minnesota on Friday March, 18. Fans are encouraged to follow the Penn State women's tennis team on twitter @PennStateWTEN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennStateWTEN.