Women's Tennis Defeats West Virginia 5-2
Apr 02 | Women's Tennis
PISCATAWAY, NJ – The Rutgers women’s tennis team (10-7, 4-3 BIG EAST) won its second consecutive conference match as it earned a 5-2 decision over West Virginia on Friday at the RU Tennis Complex in Piscataway.
The Scarlet Knights once again dominated in the doubles matches, winning all three to take an early 1-0 lead. At first doubles, Andrea Weckstein and Ketevan Shmakova won 8-6, followed by Alina Balasa and Jill Markowtiz at second doubles, 8-6. Helen Magomedova and Lauren Edelschein closed out the doubles competition with a 8-6 victory at third doubles. With the sweep, Rutgers is now 13-4 overall when it wins the team doubles point.
The Scarlet Knights’ success continued in singles play, as Weckstein earned a hard-fought three-set decision at first singles over WVU’s Melissa Day, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. At second singles, Shmakova continued her stellar all-around play with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win. The Mountaineers won their team points at third and fourth singles, respectively, but Rutgers rebounded for a critical win at fifth singles, as Magomedova won 6-4, 6-2. Edelschein closed out the match with a 6-2, 6-2 win at sixth singles.
“This team is really starting to hit is stride in the heart of the BIG EAST schedule,” said head coach Ben Bucca. “It’s a great thing to see that we can rise to the occasion when its called for and play our best tennis.”
Rutgers will stay at home this weekend and returns to action when it faces Pittsburgh on Saturday, April 3, at the Rutgers Tennis Complex.
Rutgers 5, West Virginia 2
Doubles
#1 Andrea Weckstein/Ketevan Shmakova (RU) def. Melissa Day/Jennifer
Watkins 8-6
#2 Alina Balasa/Jill Markowitz (RU) def. Raynie Theis/Kelly Walsh 8-6
#3 Helen
Magomedova/Lauren Edelschein (RU) def. Ashley Costantine/Courtney Howell 8-6
Singles
#1 Weckstein def. Day 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
#2 Shmakova def. Theis 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
#3 Walsh def. Balasa 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4
#4 Watkins def. Markowitz 6-7 (3), 6-3,
10-3
#5 Magomedova def. Howell 6-4, 6-2
#6 Edelschein def. Costantine 6-2, 6-2
