Rutgers Women's Tennis Dominates Fairleigh Dickinson
Feb 05 | Women's Tennis
MANASQUAN, N.J. (February 5, 2012) - Rutgers University women's tennis finished its weekend with a 7-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University on Sunday afternoon at the Atlantic Club. The Scarlet Knights were pushed to both a tiebreaker and a three-set match in the contest, but were able to pull through to win all seven points.
Head coach Ben Bucca took notice to the team's dedication and determination to work through their obstacles to come out as winners and improve to 2-0 on the season. FDU drops to 3-1.
"This was a very close match," said Bucca. "During key moments of the match our strong competitive spirit carried us through. This was a great confidence booster for the team."
The Scarlet Knights earned the doubles point by winning two out three matches, including a dominating 8-1 win by the team of senior Morgan Ivey (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) and Lindsay Balsamo (Wall, N.J.) in the third slot.
Rutgers took five of the six matches in straight sets, with sophomore Stefania Balasa (East Brunswick, N.J.) winning a tiebreaker to earn her sweep. Ivey was challenged in third singles - going into a deciding third set - but was able to outlast FDU's Irina Dementyeva, 10-8, in that set to clinch the win.
RU is now 12-0 in singles matches and 5-1 in double contests two matches into the season.
The Scarlet Knights head back to the courts at the Atlantic Club on Feb. 10 to take on Quinnipiac. The Bobcats are the six-time defending Northeast Conference champions.
Rutgers 7, Fairleigh Dickinson 0
Singles
No. 1: Jennifer Holzberg (RU) def. Elmine Botes (FDU) 6-4, 6-3
No. 2: Vanessa Petrini (RU) def. Julia Prantl (FDU) 6-4, 6-4
No. 3: Morgan Ivey def. Irena Dementyeua (FDU) 6-7(6), 6-3, 10-8
No. 4: Stefania Balasa (RU) def. Egzona Morina (FDU) 6-4, 7-6, 7
No. 5: Noor Judeh (RU) def. Manu Leme (FDU) 6-2, 6-4
No. 6: Lindsay Balsamo (RU) def. Gaby Sarrate (FDU) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
No. 1: J. Holzberg/V. Petrini (RU) def. E. Botes/I. Dementyeva (FDU) 8-4
No. 2: J. Prantl/E. Morina (FDU) def. S. Balasa/ N. Judeh (RU) 8-6
No. 3: M. Ivey/L. Balsamo (RU) def. M. Leme/G. Sarrate (FDU) 8-1
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