UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's tennis team emerged victorious in their first match of the spring season against Xavier on Saturday afternoon. The Nittany Lions beat the Musketeers, 5-2.
"We're really proud of the team," said head coach Alexandra Anghelescu. "The team came out with a new energy and a new mission that we haven't experienced here at Penn State before. Xavier came out firing and ready for vengeance after last year. Our girls didn't waver at all. They challenged us and we accepted the challenge, and we were successful. This is a great start for our season. I'm excited for what more matches can bring. Now we can take that confidence from the match and use it for tomorrow because tomorrow is going to be another battle."
DOUBLES
Xavier took wins on courts one and three to clinch the first point of the match.
Carla Girbau and Ioana Gheorghita earned a win over Imani Graham and Abigail Siminski, 6-1, on court two.
Sofiya Chekhlyastova and Olivia Dorner fell to Kat Lyman and Abby Nugent in a hard-fought match, 7-5. Alexandra Nielsen and Alina Lebedeva also lost their doubles match against Emily Flowers and Paulina Franco Martinessi, 6-3.
SINGLES
When it came to singles play, the Nittany Lions took over the match.
Sofiya Chekhlystova defeated Imani Graham, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 1 singles.
In a though fought match, Carla Girbau won against Abby Nugent, in the match at No. 3, to clinch the match point for Penn State, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.
Ioana Gheorghita easily earned the Blue and White a singles win vs. Abigail Siminski, 6-0, 6-1.
Olivia Dorner tallied her first collegiate singles win against Blessing Nwaozuzu 6-0, 6-2, at No. 5.
To finish the match, Alexandra Nielsen extended Penn State's match lead by defeating Emily Flowers, 6-3, 6-2.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions will take on Old Dominion in their second home match of the weekend on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. E.T.
RESULTS
Penn State 5, Xavier 2
Doubles Results:
- Kat Lyman/Abby Nugent (XU) def. Sofiya Chekhlyastova/Olivia Dorner (PSU), 7-5
- Carla Girbau/Ioana Gheorghita (PSU) def. Imani Graham/Abigail Siminski (XU), 6-1
- Emily Flowers/Paulina Franco Martinessi (XU) def. Alexandra Nielsen/Alina Lebedeva (PSU), 6-3
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1
Singles Results:
- Sofiya Chekhlystova (PSU) def. Imani Graham (XU), 6-3, 6-2
- Kat Lyman (XU) def. Yvonne Zuffova (PSU), 6-2, 7-5
- Carla Girbau (PSU) def. Abby Nugent (XU), 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
- Ioana Gheorghita (PSU) def. Abigail Siminski (XU), 6-0, 6-1
- Olivia Dorner (PSU) def. Blessing Nwaozuzu (XU), 6-0, 6-2
- Alexandra Nielsen (PSU) def. Emily Flowers (XU), 6-3, 6-2.
Order of Finish: 4, 1, 2, 5, 3, 6
Keep up with the Penn State women's tennis team at GoPSUsports.com. For continued updates throughout the year, make sure to follow our Instagram @pennstatewtennis and Twitter @pennstateWTEN.