Women's Tennis Advance to BIG EAST Semi-Finals

Friday, April 19

Tampa, Fla.

TBA

University of Louisville

Rutgers

April 19, 2013 | Women's Tennis

April 19, 2013

The No. 3-seed University of Louisville women's tennis team advanced to the semi-finals of the BIG EAST Conference Tournament with a 4-0 win over No. 6 seeded Rutgers at the Varsity Courts in Tampa, Florida on the campus of the University of South Florida. The Cards will play South Florida on Saturday at 9 a.m.

"I am really excited for the team," said U of L head coach Mark Beckham. "We have battled all season long to get back to this position. We are better prepared . Last year, we were just happy to be in the semi's. This year we fell we can advance. The only thing I know for sure about tomorrow's match is that it will be a grind but we are ready for it."

The Cards won the doubles point when the No. 1 team of Julia Fellerhoff and Rebecca Shine beat Vanessa Petrini and Gina Li 8-1. The point was clinched when Manuela Velasquez and Mandy Brown beat Stefania Balasa and Lindsay Balsamo 8-4.

Up 1-0, Manuela Velasquez won 6-1, 6-0 over Lindsey Kayati. Becky Bodine beat Noor Judeh 6-1, 6-3. The clinching point came from Stefanie Villajuan defeated Stefania Balasa 0-6, 6-2, 6-2 for the win.

U of L advances to play USF tomorrow.

Doubles

1.) Fellerhoff/Shine (UofL) def. Petrini/Li (RU) 8-1,
2.) Bodine/Villajuan (UofL) did not finish Kayati/Zein (RU)
3.) Velasquez/Brown (UofL) def. Balasa/Balsamo (RU) 8-4 *

Singles:

1.) Fellerhoff (UofL) did not finish vs. Petrini (RU)
2.) Shine (UofL) did not finish vs. Li (RU)
3.) Velasquez (UofL) def. Kayati (RU) 6-1, 6-0
4.) Villajuan (UofL) def. Balasa (RU) 0-6, 6-2, 6-2 *
5.) Brown (UofL) did not finish vs. Zein (RU)
6.) Bodine (UofL) def. Judeh (RU) 6-1, 6-3

Order of Finish: 3, 6, 4
Match Duration: 2:56
* deciding match