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University of Louisville
Tulsa
Women's Tennis Tops Tulsa 4-3
March 15, 2008 | Women's Tennis
March 15, 2008
University of Louisville junior Natalia Baez held on in the third set to clinch a 4-3 win over defending Conference USA champion Tulsa in women's tennis action today in Dallas, Texas.
"This was one of the best, if not the best win of the season," said U of L coach Mark Beckham. "We defeated the defending Conference USA champion. They are one of the more talented teams we have played against. This was definition of a team effort. We needed every single player to do their part to help us win the match.
The Cardinals won the doubles point when the Cardinal duo of Natalia Baez and Bianca Gorbea paired to beat Rebecca Row and Carla Zabaleta 8-2. Lindsey Jones and Lauren Imre battled Thalia Barriga and Marcinkowska at No. 2 doubles before falling 8-6. Jo-Ann Van Aerde and Robyn White clinched the doubles point hanging on for a 9-8 (9-7) win.
The Cardinals dropped the top two singles matches but were shored up by the middle of their lineup. Jo-Ann Van Aerde rolled over Marta Marcinkowska 6-1, 6-3 at No. 5 singles for the Cardinals. Bianca Gorbea won in three sets at No. 3 with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over Carla Zabaleta. Tulsa pulled out a win at No 6 when Robyn White fell 6-4, 6-0 to Agostina Santoro. Knotted at three, the match came down to No.4 singles where Natalia Baez beat Marta Marcinkowska 6-0, 0-6, 6-4 for the win.
"I'd like to recognize Natalia Baez for winning the deciding match. I have challenged her to be the one to finish off matches for us and today she took on that role," said Beckham.
The Cardinals return home for a match against Houston March 21 at 2 p.m.
"I have been telling the team that to get the NCAA tournament, we have to beat some teams that we know will be in for sure. Tulsa was one of those teams," said Beckham.
Singles 1.) Alexandra Kichoutkin (TU) def. Lauren Imre 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 2.) Thalia Barriga (TU) def. Lindsey Jones 6-2, 6-3 3.) Bianca Gorbea (UL) def. Carla Zabaleta 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 4.) Natalia Baez (UL) def. Rebecca Row 6-0, 0-6, 6-4 5.) Jo-Ann Van Aerde (UL) def. Marta Marcinkowska 6-1, 6-3 6.) Agostina Santoro (TU) def Robyn White 6-4, 6-0
Doubles 1.) Gorbea/Baez def. Row/Zabaleta 8-2 2.) Barriga/Marcinkowska def. Imre/Jones 8-5 3.) Van Aerde/White def. Kichoutkin/Zeng 9-8 (9-7)
Players Mentioned
