Women's Tennis Turns Back Virginia Tech 5-2

Sunday, February 24

Louisville, Ky.

10:00 AM

University of Louisville

VIRGINIA TECH

Natalia Baez won at No. 4 singles and helped win at No. 1 doubles with partner Bianca Gorbea.

February 24, 2008 | Women's Tennis

Feb. 24, 2008

The University of Louisville women's tennis team beat visiting Virginia Tech 5-2 Sunday afternoon to win their second match in a row against a nationally-ranked team this weekend at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center.

The Cardinals (6-3) have now won five of their last six matches, including Friday's upset of No. 30 ranked South Florida.

"I feel like this weekend was a turning point for the team in that now they truly believe they are one of the better teams in the country. We beat defending BIG EAST Conference champion South Florida on Friday and today we beat No. 63 Virginia Tech," said U of L head coach Mark Beckham. "It shows we are moving in the right direction as far as becoming a high level team ourselves. Hopefully, we can continue the momentum as we visit nationally-ranked Ohio State this week as well."

U of L took the doubles point when the scrappy No. 1 pair of Bianca Gorbea and Natalia Baez wore down Jessica Brouwer and Yasmin Hamza 8-5. Lindsey Jones and Lauren Imre were downed 8-4 at No. 4 by Tech's Inga Beermann and JJ Larson. U of L's Robyn White and Jo-Ann Van Aerde dug their heels in for the 8-6 win at No. 3 over Jessica Long and Abbey Walker to clinch the point.

The Cardinals got help in singles from the heart of their lineup after Imre and Jones fell at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. Gorbea outlasted Jessica Long 7-6, 7-5 at No. 3 for the win. Baez took JJ Larson in 6-3, 6-3 at No. 4. White was awarded the win at No. 5 when Walker had to retire due to injury. Jo-Ann Van Aerde won easily over Holly Johnson 6-2, 6-4.

Louisville 5, Virginia Tech 2Singles1.) Inga Beerman (VT) def. Lauren Imre 1-6, 7-6 (5), 1-0 (6)2.) Yasmin Hamza (VT) def. Lindsey Jones  6-4, 6-43.) Bianca Gorbea (UL) def. Jessica Long  7-6 (5), 7-54.) Natalia Baez (UL) def. JJ Larson 6-3, 6-35.) Robyn White (UL) def. Abbey Walker 1-1 ret.6.) Jo-Ann Van Aerde (UL) def. Holly Johnson 6-2, 6-4
Doubles1.) Gorbea/Baez (UL) def. Brouwer/Hamza 8-52.) Beermann/Long  (VT) def. Jones/Imre  8-43.) White/Van Aerde (UL) def. Long/Walker 8-6