ORLANDO, Fla.-- The Penn State women's tennis team defeated a shorthanded Norfolk State side, 7-0, to kick off its match play in the Sunshine State. The match against Norfolk State was originally slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. at Sanlando Park, but was pushed back to 3 p.m. and was held at the USTA National Campus due to rain.
Penn State improves to 8-3 and remains 1-0 in the Big Ten, while the Spartans fall to 0-1 on the season.
"It was good to get outside and grab our first win in Florida," said assistant coach Alexandra Anghelescu. "It was a little windy, leading us to deal with elements we haven't dealt with this season yet. The girls have done a good job preparing for today and it showed on the court. Obviously, having a lot of mental toughness to deal with those different elements. But, I think this playing this match makes us more ready for Thursday and the girls are excited about it and ready to play."
DOUBLES
Norfolk State did not field a doubles pair on court No. 3, leading the Nittany Lions to clinch the point after a victory on court No. 1.
Shannon Hanley (Kensington, Md.) and Samantha Smith (Cary, N.C.) defeated Paula Fortuno and Joyce Fields, 6-0.
Frederikke Svarre (Copenhagen, Denmark) and Chelsea Sawyer (Clemmons, N.C.) had their match against Zoe Fraiser and Bruna Goncalves go unfinished, but were up, 4-2, when play ended.
SINGLES
Norfolk State did not have enough players to fill No. 6 singles, leading to a win by default for the Nittany Lions. The team then entered singles play up, 2-0.
Penn State went 5-0 in singles play, winning every singles match in straight sets.
Gabby O'Gorman (Gunnedah, N.S. Wales, Australia) continues to dominate opponents on court No. 1, defeating Fortuno, 6-0, 6-0. Svarre returned to her winning ways with a victory over Frasier, 6-1, 6-3.
Sawyer picked up a win over Fields, 6-2, 6-2. Hanley got the win over Goncalves, 6-2, 6-0. Gracey Hirsch (Cincinnati, Ohio) made her second appearance in the spring, grabbing a 6-0, 6-0 win over Adriana Strode.
UP NEXT
Penn State will take on VCU at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. on Thursday, March 7 at 12 p.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 Final:
1. Samantha Smith/Shannon Hanley (PSU) def. Paula Fortuno/Joyce Fields (NSU) 6-0
2. Frederikke Svarre/Chelsea Sawyer (PSU) vs. Zoe Frasier/Bruna Goncalves (NSU) 4-2, unfinished
3. PSU won by default
Order of finish: (1)
Singles Final:
1. Gabby O'Gorman (PSU) def. Paula Fortuno (NSU) 6-0, 6-0
2. Frederikke Svarre (PSU) def. Zoe Frasier (NSU) 6-1, 6-3
3. Chelsea Sawyer (PSU) def. Joyce Fields (NSU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Shannon Hanley (PSU) def. Bruna Goncalves (NSU) 6-2, 6-0
5. Gracey Hirsch (PSU) def. Adriana Strode (NSU) 6-0, 6-0
6. PSU won by default
Order of finish: (5, 1, 2, 4, 3)
