Feb. 7, 2002
MADISON, Wis. - The Northwestern women's tennis team fell to Vanderbilt, 5-2, in a first-round match at the United State Tennis Association/Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Indoor Championships in Madison, Wis., this morning. The 'Cats fell to 3-2 on the season, while the Commodores improved to 10-0.
Despite the score, the match-played at Wisconsin's A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center-was close throughout. In doubles, Vandy's Sarah Riske and Aleke Tsoubanos defeated Marine Piriou and Jessica Rush at No. 1, 8-4. The matches at Nos. 2 and 3 were a lot closer. Northwestern won at No. 2 as Lia Jackson and Simona Petrutiu downed Kate Burson and Annie Menees, 9-8(7), but the Wildcats could not pull out a win at No. 3 as Ruth Barnes and Stacy Kokx fell to Jenny Miller and Kelly Schmandt, 9-7.
In singles, it was more of the same, as there were more tight matches, but Rush and Petrutiu were the only singles winners for the 'Cats. Ranked 95th in the nation, Rush defeated No. 82 Katia Blaszak, 7-5, 6-3 at No. 3. Petrutiu also won in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) over Schmandt at No. 5.
The Wildcats move into consolation play against an opponent to be determined this evening. That match will be played tomorrow at 9 a.m.
No. 4 Vanderbilt vs. No. 17 Northwestern
Vanderbilt 5, Northwestern 2
SINGLES
No. 1 #27 Sarah Riske (Vandy) def. #9 Marine Piriou (NU), 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 Jenny Miller (Vandy) def. #55 Lia Jackson (NU), 7-5, 6-2
No. 3 #95 Jessica Rush (NU) def. #82 Katia Blaszak (Vandy), 7-5, 6-3
No. 4 #97 Kate Burson (Vandy) def. Andrea Yung (NU), 7-6(3), 3-6, 10-8
No. 5 Simona Petrutiu (NU) def. Kelly Schmandt (Vandy), 6-4, 6-4
No. 6 Annie Menees (V) def. Ruth Barnes (Vandy), 7-6(8), 6-0*
DOUBLES
No. 1 Riske/Aleke Tsoubanos (Vandy) def. #31 Piriou/Rush (NU), 8-4
No. 2 Jackson/Petrutiu (NU) def. Burson/Menees (Vandy), 9-8(7)
No. 3 Miller/Schmandt (Vandy) def. Barnes/Stacy Kokx (NU), 9-7**
*Clinched match
** Clinched doubles point
(number) indicates ITA ranking