Rutgers University
NJIT
Tennis Downs NJIT at EBRC
Feb 25 | Women's Tennis
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. - The Rutgers tennis team extended its match winning streak to three, defeating NJIT, 7-0, Thursday afternoon at the East Brunswick Racquet Club.
The Scarlet Knights (4-2) delivered wins in all three doubles matches and swept singles play against the Highlanders (2-3).
"We had a good day and played strong, consistent tennis," said head coach Ben Bucca. "The opponent had some excellent shot making, but the difference was our consistency and that won out today."
RU got to work quickly, sweeping the doubles point with a trio of 6-2 victories. Seniors Gina Li (Hillsborough, N.J.) and Mariam Zein (Sugarland, Texas) delivered a win in No. 1 doubles against Nathalie Habbegger and Natalija Tasovac, with junior Ksenija Tihomirova (Riga, Latvia) and sophomore Chloe Lee (Albuquerque, N.M.) securing a win in the No. 2 doubles position against Rafaella Sampaio and Amanda Helminsky. Senior Lindsey Kayati (Monroeville, N.J.) and junior Farris Cunningham (Houston, Texas) fended off Ines Vujkovac and Alba Rosas Garcia in No. 3 doubles to produce the sweep.
Rutgers did not miss a beat in singles action, sweeping all six matches in the win. Five of those six matches ended in straight sets, with Li, Tihomirova and Kayati becoming the first three Scarlet Knights to finish to secure the dual win.
The closest match of the day came in the No. 2 position, as Lee and Sampaio battled to a third set. After Sampaio claimed the first set, 6-4, Lee fought all the way back with a decisive 6-4 victory in the second set. Lee then produced a 10-7 win in the final set for the win.
Rutgers returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 28, when the Scarlet Knights open up Big Ten play against Maryland at the East Brunswick Racquet Club. The match is set to begin at 12:15 p.m.
Doubles
1. Gina Li/Mariam Zein (RU) def. Nathalie Habbegger/ Natalija Tasovac (NJIT); 6-2
2. Ksenija Tihomirova /Chloe Lee (RU) def. Rafaella Sampaio/Amanda Helminsky (NJIT); 6-2
3. Lindsey Kayati/Farris Cunningham (RU) def. Ines Vujkovac and Alba Rosas Garcia (NJIT); 6-2
Singles
1. Gina Li (RU) def. Nathalie Habbegger (NJIT); 6-1, 6-1
2. Chloe Lee (RU) def. Rafaella Sampaio (NJIT); 4-6, 6-4, 10-7
3. Ksenija Tihomirova (RU) def. Ines Vujkovac (NJIT); 6-1, 6-0
4. Mariam Zein (RU) def. Alba Rosas Garcia (NJIT); 6-1, 7-5
5. Lindsey Kayati (RU) def. Natalija Tasovac (NJIT); 6-0, 6-2
6. Farris Cunningham (RU) def. Amanda Helminsky (NJIT); 6-4, 6-3
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