Rutgers University
Ohio State
Tennis Downed by No. 22 Ohio State
Mar 21 | Women's Tennis
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Kicking off a four-game homestand, the Rutgers women's tennis team suffered a 7-0 loss to No. 22 Ohio State on Friday afternoon at the East Brunswick Racquet Club.
"We came up against a very talented Ohio State team and we played with strong determination," said head coach Ben Bucca. "Now that we are in the Big Ten, we are exposed to playing against the best teams in the country. We are only going to get better."
RU drops to an overall record of 6-7 and an 0-4 mark in Big Tenplay, while OSU improves to 10-4 with a perfect conference record of 4-0.
The Buckeyesclaimed victories at the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles spots to collect the team doubles point. Junior Gina Li (Hillsborough, N.J.) and senior Lindsay Balsamo (Wall, N.J.) fell to Sandy Niehaus and Gabriella De Santis by a score of 8-0, while sophomore Farris Cunningham (Houston, Texas) and freshman Lee Levy (Haifa, Israel) dropped an 8-2 decision. The matchup at the No. 2 spot between junior Mariam Zein (Sugarland, Texas) and freshman Chloe Lee (Albuquerque, N.M.) was retired with OSU up by the small margin of 4-2.
Moving into singles action, junior Gina Li (Hillsborough, N.J.) held strong, falling by the close marks of 6-4, 6-3 at the No. 1 spot. Senior Lindsay Balsamo (Wall, N.J.) battled against Ferny Paz to keep the score close at 6-3 in the first set. However, Balsamo fell, 6-1, in the second set to drop the match.
Rutgers returns to action on Sunday, March 22, hosting Penn State in a 12:30 p.m. match. Due to inclement weather, the match has been moved indoors to the East Brunswick Racquet Club.
Doubles
1. Sandy Niehaus/Gabriella De Santis (OSU) def. Gina Li/Lindsay Balsamo (RU); 8-0
2. Miho Kowase/Ferny Paz (OSU) def. Mariam Zein/Chloe Lee (RU); DNF
3. Olivia Sneed/Anna Sanford (OSU)) def. Farris Cunningham/Lee Levy (RU); 8-2
Singles
1. Anna Sanford (OSU) def. Gina Li (RU); 6-4, 6-3
2. Gabriella De Santis (OSU) def. Chloe Lee (RU); 6-0, 6-1
3. Ferny Paz (OSU) def. Lindsay Balsamo (RU); 6-3, 6-1
4. Miho Kowase (OSU) def. Mariam Zein (RU); 6-2, 6-1
5. Olivia Sneed (OSU) def. Farris Cunningham (RU); 6-0, 6-1
6. Grainne O'Neill (OSU) def. Lee Levy (RU) ; 6-0, 6-2
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