Tennis Tops Fordham in Nonconference Action
Mar 30 | Women's Tennis
MANALAPAN, N.J. (March 30, 2014) - Playing under the alternate simultaneous format, the Rutgers tennis team (11-4, 2-1 AAC) defeated the visiting Fordham Rams (6-6, 0-1 A-10), 5-2, Sunday evening at the Atlantic Club. Under the format, the teams played one doubles match worth two points, and five singles matches worth one point each.
Rutgers, who improves to a perfect 5-0 in home contests, swept the five singles matchups and dropped the lone doubles contest.
"We played some strong tennis today," said head coach Ben Bucca, Jr. "This was a very convincing win against a solid Fordham team. We have a lot of momentum and are looking forward to our next conference match against UConn."
After dropping the lone doubles match, senior co-captain Vanessa Petrini (Stamford, Conn.) secured a 6-2, 7-7 (2) victory over Angelika Dabu at the top singles slot. Sophomore Gina Li (Hillsborough, N.J.) followed at No. 2, easily downing Julie Leong, 6-1, 6-1.
Fellow second-year Scarlet Knight, Lindsey Kayati (Monroeville, N.J.) blanked opponent Bella Genkina 6-0 in the first set and added a convincing 6-2 second-set win to seal the victory at No. 3. Senior co-captain Stefania Balasa (East Brunswick, N.J.) finished with identical winning scores of 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4 singles over Hanna Fritzinger, while freshman Farris Cunningham (Houston, Texas) topped Anika Novacek, 6-0, 6-4, to complete the sweep.
Rutgers hits the road on Thursday, April 3 as the squad wraps up American Athletic Conference action at UConn.
Rutgers 5, Fordham 2
Doubles
Elliesa Ball/Sarah Ali (FU) def. Lindsay Balsamo/Mariam Zein (RU), 6-3, 4-6, 13-11
Singles
1. Vanessa Petrini (RU) def. Angelika Dabu (FU), 6-2, 7-7 (2)
2. Gina Li (RU) def. Julie Leong (FU), 6-1, 6-1
3. Lindsey Kayati (RU) def. Bella Genkina (FU), 6-0, 6-2
4. Stefania Balasa (RU) def. Hanna Fritzinger (FU), 6-2, 6-2
5. Farris Cunningham (RU) def. Anika Novacek (FU), 6-0, 6-4
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