Rutgers University
Penn State
Tennis Falls to Penn State, 4-3
Apr 03 | Women's Tennis
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Despite clinching the doubles point and seeing singles victories from seniors Gina Li (Hillsborough, N.J.) and Lindsey Kayati (Monroeville, N.J.), Rutgers tennis (6-11, 0-7 B1G) fell to Penn State (6-9, 2-3 B1G), 4-3, Sunday afternoon at the East Brunswick Racquet Club.
Prior to match, the Scarlet Knights honored their three seniors, as Kayati, Li and Mariam Zein (Sugarland, Texas) were recognized for their memorable careers "On the Banks". Each were presented with gifts from the rest of the team, as well as framed action photos.
RU got off to a fast start against the Nittany Lions, clinching the doubles point in front of a thunderous crowd at the EBRC. In the No. 2 position, sophomore Chloe Lee (Albuquerque, N.M.) and junior Ksenija Tihomirova (Riga, Latvia) downed Katia Bilk and Samantha Tutelman, 6-2. Kayati and junior Farris Cunningham (Houston, Texas) also won by a 6-2 margin in the No. 3 position to secure the point, the first time Rutgers has won the doubles point in Big Ten play this year.
In singles action, Kayati delivered her first conference victory of the season with a straight-set triumph over PSU's Katherine Whiteaway. After Kayati jumped ahead with a 6-4 win in the first set, Both Kayati and Whiteaway battled neck and neck in the second stanza. Down the majority of the set, Whiteaway brought the score to five all. But Kayati settled down for the 7-5 win.
Li also had an intense match in the No. 1 position against Penn State's Kimberly-Ann Surin. Li managed a 7-5 win in the first set before Ann Surin managed a 7-5 result in the second set. In the third-set tiebreaker, the two went back and forth before Li pulled away with a 10-4 win.
The match served as the final home event of the 2016 spring season. Rutgers heads to the Great Lakes State for its next two matches, competing against Michigan on April 9 and Michigan State on April 10.
Doubles competition
1. Gina Li/Mariam Zein (RU) vs. Jacqueline Zuhse/Katherine Whiteaway (PSU), DNF
2. Ksenija Tihomirova/Chloe Lee (RU) def. Katia Bilk/Samantha Tutelman (PSU), 6-2
3. Lindsey Kayati/Farris Cunningham (RU) def. Kimberly-Ann Surin/Dasha Sapogova (PSU), 6-2
Order of finish: 2, 3, 1 (DNF)
Singles competition
1. Gina Li (RU) def. Kimberly-Ann Surin (PSU), 7-5, 5-7, 10-4
2. Katia Bilk (PSU) def. Chloe Lee (RU) 7-5, 6-3
3. Jacqueline Zuhse (PSU) def. Ksenija Tihomirova (RU) 7-6 (5), 6-1
4. Dasha Sapogova (PSU) def. Mariam Zein (RU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Lindsey Kayati (RU) def. Katherine Whiteaway (PSU), 6-4, 7-5
6. Samantha Tutelman (PSU) def. Farris Cunningham (RU) 6-0, 6-1
Order of finish: 6, 4, 3, 2, 5, 1
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