WEST WINDSOR, N.J. — With the score knotted at three going into the final match, the Sacred Heart University women's tennis team couldn't hold on to the victory at the Mercer County Tennis Center. The Pioneers bid farewell to their Northeast Conference Championships appearance after a narrow 4-3 loss against Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday.
The Knights first doubles team took the first win, but the Pioneers were able to post a victory for the final two partner action. Number two pair of Vitalina Golod and Keira Tobia garnered a win, followed by Flavia Rambaldi and Lauren Santarsiero at number three with both duos winning 7-5.
Ciara O'Toole tallied the first singles point for SHU with a 7-6 tie-breaking decision in the first set and 7-5 triumph in the second. Fairleigh Dickinson added three points in the singles bouts for a 3-3 tie going into the final matchup.
It all came down to Brianne Lauria at number four, who won the first set with a tie-breaking 7-6 victory but dropped the last two, giving FDU the winning point.
Fairleigh Dickinson 4, Sacred Heart 3
Doubles Competition
- Tatiana Eftenoiu/Amina Lasheen (FDU) def. Ciara O'Toole/Katsiaryna Starastsenka (SHU) 7-6 (7)
- Vitalina Golod/Keira Tobia (SHU) def. Anamaria Vladescu/Aleksandra Vorozheikina (FDU) 7-5
- Flavia Rambaldi/Lauren Santarsiero (SHU) def. Shreya Gulia/Smriti Singh (FDU) 7-5
Singles Competition
- Aleksandra Vorozheikina (FDU) def. Vitalina Golod 6-1, 1-6, 6-4
- Ciara O'Toole (SHU) def. Tatiana Eftenoiu 7-6 (7), 7-5
- Katsiaryna Starastsenka (SHU) def. Amina Lasheen (FDU) 6-3, 7-5
- Smriti Singh (FDU) def. Brianne Lauria (SHU) 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-4
- Shreya Gulia (FDU) def. Flavia Rambaldi (SHU) 7-5, 2-6, 6-4
- Anamaria Vladescu (FDU) def. Lauren Santarsiero (SHU) 7-5, 6-2
