UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; March 9, 2017ââ'¬" The Penn State women's tennis team fell to University of South Florida 4-3 in a close contest. The Nittany Lions won three single matches, but it was not enough to beat the Bulls.
Devan McCluskey (Phoenix, Ariz.) defeated Juliana Cardoso (USF) 6-3, 1-6, 7-5. Shannon Hanley (Kensington, Md.) beat Brooke Lashway (USF) in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. Bennett Dunn (Orlando, Fla.) secured the win against Vanja Klaric (USF) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
Head coach Chris Cagle commented on the team's loss. "We lost a tough, long match to USF today," said head coach Chris Cagle. "We had a good week of practice outdoors that almost got us across the finish line. We need to build on today as we go into the bulk of the Big Ten season next Friday."
In doubles, Jacqueline Zuhse (Boca Raton, Florida) and Bennett Dunn (Orlando, Fla.) (PSU) defeated Juliana Cardoso/Olga Martinez (USF) 7-6 (8-6). Devan McCluskey (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Shannon Hanley (Kensington, Md.) battled hard against Vera Bessonova/Nicole Dzenga, but fell in a tiebreaker 7-6 (7-5).
Looking ahead, the Nittany Lions return home to the Sarni Tennis Center next Friday, March 17, when they take on Minnesota at 4:30p.m.
Keep up with the Penn State women's tennis team at GoPSUsports.com. For continued updates throughout the year, make sure to `like' our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewten and follow our twitter @pennstateWTEN.
Doubles Results:
1) Jacqueline Zuhse/Bennett Dunn (PSU) def. Juliana Cardoso/Olga Martinez (USF) 7-6 (8-6)
2) Vera Bessonova/Nicole Dzenga (USF) def. Devan McCluskey/Shannon Hanley (PSU) 7-6 (7-5)
3) Brooke Lashway/Ana Roman (USF) def. Katia Blik/Samantha Smith (PSU) 6-3
Singles Results:
1) Ana Roman (USF) def. #104 Katia Blik (PSU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
2) Devan McCluskey (PSU) def. Juliana Cardoso (USF) 6-3, 1-6, 7-5
3) Nicole Dzenga (USF) def. Jacqueline Zuhse (PSU) 6-1, 6-1
4) Olga Martinez (USF) def. Samantha Smith (PSU) 6-2, 6-2
5) Shannon Hanley (PSU) def. Brooke Lashway (USF) 6-1, 6-2
6) Bennett Dunn (PSU) def. Vanja Klaric (USF) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5