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Brookin's 3 Set Win Lifts Siena over Duquense 4-3 in Women's Tennis
Hluchova, Hristova & Fisher also win
Betsy Brookins
 
Betsy Brookins
  

March 3, 2003

The Siena Saints Women's Tennis Team continued it's successful spring training trip in Florida with a 4-3 win over the Duquense Dukes of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The win was the second in two matches for the women.

After the Saints dropped the doubles 2 matches to 1, Brooke Fisher (John Jay/Katonah,NY) got the them their first point, losing only one game in a straight set win at #6 singles. The women then built a 3-1 lead as #4, Rali Hristova (Sofia, Bulgaria) and #3 Denisa Hluchova (St. Francis/Piestany, Slovakia) both won by the same 6-3, 7-5 score. The Dukes pulled back within a point as Marina Zelenovic easily took out the Saints #2, Andrea Disponzio (Farmingdale/Farmingdale, NY) 6-0, 6-2.

The match then came down to the results at #1 and #5 singles. Both Nikki Mayer (Shaker/Latham, NY) and Betsy Brookins (Delmar/Bethlehem, NY) had split sets in their respective matches each dropping the 1st set before coming back to take the second force decisive third sets. Brookins built a nice 5-2 lead in the third with her steady, consistent play and won the set and the match as her opponent double faulted on match point. Brookins win sealed the team match for Siena.

Mayer, was not so fortunate, however. After dropping the 1st set at love, she came roaring back to take the 2nd 6-2. Then serving down 5-6 in the third she also double faulted on match point.

"We kept our opponent in the match by making several costly mistakes," Siena Head Coach Jeff Bloomberg said after the match. "It was our mistakes that made the match so close. At practice on Sunday, we talked about how important it was not to give points away, especially by double faulting. It was ironic that both 3-set matches today were decided by double faults. We need to improve in two areas if we are serious about being MAAC contenders--serving and doubles play. We can continue to lose the doubles point and still expect to win matches. It's going to catch up with us."

 

 

The women continue their Florida trip on Tuesday with a match against St. Bonaventure in Lakeland. Match time is 10AM.

Results:
Singles:
1. Alina Klinova (D) def Nikki Mayer (6-0, 2-6 and 7-5)
2. Marina Zelenovic (D) def Andrea Disponzio (6-2 and 6-0)
3. Denisa Hluchova (S) def Katie Riedinger (6-3 and 7-5)
4. Rali Hristova (S) def Sara Shanahan (6-3 and 7-5)
5. Betsy Brookins (S) def Julie Wagner (3-6, 6-1 and 6-2)
6. Brooke Fisher (S) def Cecilia Cardona (6-1 and 6-0)

Doubles:
1. Klinova/zelenovic (D) def Mayer/Hluchova (8-2)
2. Disponzio/Fisher (S) def Riedinger/Wagner (8-4)
3. Zigine/Shanahan (D) def Eileen Gallocher/Meghan Slenkamp (8-1)

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