KUTZTOWN, PA (April 20, 2010) – The Kutztown University women's tennis team opened the 2010 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs with a 5-1 victory over West Chester University Tuesday afternoon. (RESULTS COMING SOON)
The Golden Bears (10-9 overall) made fast work of the Golden Rams to earn a weekend trip to Bloomsburg University to face the West Division's top seed California (Pa.) Friday morning at 11 a.m. The Golden Bears had added motivation for wanting to continue their season.
“I was really hoping we could win this match today because this was my last home game and I didn't want my career to end,” senior Rohini Das said. “The entire team played hard and I really appreciate their spirit. It feels great to be able to win and have an opportunity to play more tennis.”
The victory also meant that the Golden Bears will join the men's team in Bloomsburg this weekend. Kutztown won two of the three doubles matches and won all three singles matches. In the straight-set singles victories, Kutztown blanked WCU in five of the six games.
Das defeated Brittany Counts, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles. Freshman Ridhima Borooah overcame a shaky start in her singles match to beat Luisiana Souto, 6-3, 6-0. Senior Sabrina Arnaud was KU's first singles winner as she closed out Alison Fetter, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.
“It means a lot to me to be able to help my teammates win a playoff match,” Borooah said. “I knew that every ball and point was important for us. The beginning of my match was pretty close, but I knew once I got settled, I would be fine. The second game was much better than the first for me.”
Das and Borooah teamed to win at first doubles over Counts and Fetter, 8-3. After the West Chester duo closed to within, 5-3, Das and Borooah scored the final three points to earn the win. However, the match of the day occurred at third doubles. In a tense back and forth struggle, sophomore Nicole Devine and freshman Rachel Grula edged WCU's Allie Melhem and Teresa Grasso, 8-6. The fans in attendance held their breath with every stroke.
The other semifinal matches Slippery Rock, a 5-1 winner over Mercyhurst, against host Bloomsburg also on Friday. The two winners meet for the PSAC championship Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and the two losers play in the third-place match, also on Saturday morning at 9 a.m.
“I am very happy with the victory,” Kutztown coach Suresh Ramamurthi said. “The girls were real determined and focused. Nicole and Rachel were a little nervous at first but they stepped it up and held their own. They knew how important their effort was today.”
--KU--
