Rutgers University
Penn State
Tennis Edged by Penn State
Mar 22 | Women's Tennis
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (March 22, 2015) - The Rutgers women's tennis team was edged by Penn State, 6-1, on Sunday afternoon at the East Brunswick Racquet Club.
"Although we lost, the team fought Penn State from start to finish," said head coach Ben Bucca. "Congratulations to Gina Li for a very impressive win at the No. 1 singles. Despite today's loss, the team is rising to the challenge of a demanding Big Ten schedule as we are improving with each match."
RU drops to an overall record of 6-8 and a Big Ten record of 0-5. PSU moves to 6-9 overall and a record of 3-2 in conference action.
Opening the match in doubles play, the pair of junior Gina Li (Hillsborough, N.J.) and senior Lindsay Balsamo (Wall, N.J.) fought an intense matchup at the No. 2 spot, falling by the slim margin of 8-5 to Devin McCluskey and Kim Surin. PSU went on to claim the team doubles point with an 8-1 win at the No. 3 spot. Junior Mariam Zein (Sugarland, Texas) and freshman Chloe Lee (Albuguerque, N.M.) were only down by one point, 5-4, when their match was retired.
In singles action, Li withstood a challenging match at the No. 1 singles spot. After grabbing a 6-4 win in the first set, the junior was edged 7-5 in the next. In the tie breaking round, Li dominated Katia Balik with a 10-4 victory to claim the matchup.
At the No. 6 singles spot, freshman Lee Levy (Haifa, Israel) also put up a strong fight against her Nittany Lion opponent. Following a 6-2 to loss in the first set, Levy extended the second set, ultimately falling to Taylor Shukow by the slim margin of 7-5.
Rutgers continues its four-match homestand with contests against Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Scarlet Knights welcome the Golden Gophers on Friday, March 27 and host the Badgers on Sunday, March 29.
Doubles
1. Mariam Zein/Chloe Lee (RU) vs. Victoria Kisialeva/Dasha Sapogova (PSU); retired at 4-5
2. Devin McCluskey/Kim Surin (PSU) def. Gina Li/Lindsay Balsamo (RU); 8-5
3. Jacqueline Zuhse/Katherine Whiteaway (PSU) def. Farris Cunningham/Lee Levy (RU); 8-1
Singles
1. Gina Li (RU) def. Katia Blik (PSU); 6-4, 5-7, 10-4
2. Victoria Kisialeva (PSU) def. Chloe Lee (RU); 6-1, 6-3
3. Kim Surin (PSU) def. Lindsay Balsamo (RU); 6-2, 6-1
4. Dasha Sapogova (PSU) def. Mariam Zein (RU); 6-4, 6-0
5. Jacqueline Zuhse (PSU) def. Farris Cunningham (RU); 6-3, 6-4
6. Taylor Shukow (PSU) def. Lee Levy (RU); 6-2, 7-5
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