The Siena College Women's Tennis Team recorded its first win of the season with a 4-3 triumph over The University of Vermont. The win, however, was not without drama. With the Saints ahead 3-2, Siena's #1 Nikki Mayer (Latham, N.Y./ Shaker) was ready to clinch the match,leading 6-1, 4-1 when she twisted her ankle by stepping on a ball in the 6th game. With the loss of mobility, Mayer struggled, losing the next three games before finally putting her Vermont opponent away in the 10th game with some outstanding serving. Mayer's win gave the Saints the victory.
The key to the match was the women's showing in the doubles. The Saints Mayer and Denisa Hluchova (Slovakia/St. Francis Prep) routed the Catamounts #1 doubles team 8-4 while the #3 team of Rali Hristova (Sofia Bulgaria) held on for an 8-5 victory after leading 7-2.
"We concentrated on doubles for the last 10 days in practice after losing all three doubles against Holy Cross--which cost us the match," Jeff Bloomberg, Siena's coach said. "Even though doubles counts only one point, you can see how important that point is. We lose the point versus Holy Cross, we lose the match, we win the point versus Vermont, we win the match. I think the team understands the value of the doubles point now."
Also victorious for Siena were, Rali Hristova at #2 singles and Denisa Hluchova at #3 with straight set victories. Hluchova played an almost flawless match, winning 6-1, 6-1.
The women host MAAC rival, Rider University Saturday, September 28th. The match will begin right after the conclusion of the men's match, about 3PM.
Singles:
1 Nikki Mayer(S) def Molly Moran 6-1, 6-4
2 Rali Hristova(S) def Laura Beth Halter 7-6(3), 6-1
3 Denisa Hluchova(S) def Susannah O'Brien 6-1, 6-1
4 Maika Forkal(UVM) def Betsy Brookins 6-0, 6-3
5 Alie Taylor(UVM) def Brooke Fisher 6-2, 6-2
6 Danielle Fleury(UVM) def Meghan Slenkamp 5-7, 7-5, (10-6)
Doubles:
1 Mayer/Hluchova(S)\def Halter/Taylor 8-4
2 Forkal/Kyra Delaney(UVM) def Vicki Dunham/Fisher 8-4
3 Hristova/Slenkamp(S) def Fleury/Ali Pelkey 8-5
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