February 20, 2010

Bulls Drop 4-3 Decision To Columbia

NEW YORK, NY – The University at Buffalo women's tennis team lost a dual meet for the first time this season on Saturday evening as the Bulls fell 4-3 to Columbia. The loss drops UB's record to 3-1 on the year.

 

UB was able to get out to an early lead on the night as it took the doubles point from the Lions, sweeping all three contests. Diana Toiaand Diana Popescu got it started with an 8-5 win at third doubles and UB's number one team of Denise Harijanto and Aleksandra Petrovaclinched the point with an 8-4 victory. Buffalo's freshman duo of Kira Golenko and Tamara Markovic won at second doubles with an 8-7 victory.


However, the Bulls faltered in singles action as they were able to win just two of the six contests. All tied up at 3-3, Markovic was the only UB player remaining at fifth singles when she dropped a three-set decision. The Lions would storm to a 3-1 lead as they picked up wins at first, second and third singles before Toia would get a win for the Bulls at sixth singles as she defeated Diana Shapoval, 6-4, 7-5, to pull the Bulls within 3-2. UB tied things up at fourth singles as Golenko beat Carling Donovan, 6-4, 7-6 (1), but were unable to finish the comeback as Markovic fell in the third set 6-1, clinching the match for Columbia. 

 

The Bulls are back home on Saturday afternoon when they host Syracuse at the Miller Tennis Center at 11:00 am.

 

Columbia 4, Buffalo 3

Doubles
1. Harijanto/Petrova (UB) def. Bartnik/Donovan (CU), 8-4 
2. Golenko/Markovic (UB) def. Makarova/Davis (CU), 8-7 
3. Toia/Popescu (UB) def. Natalia Christenson/Matache, 8-5 
Order of Finish: 3, 1*, 2

Singles
1. Nicole Bartnik (CU) def. Denise Harijanto (UB), 6-3, 6-1 
2. Natasha Makarova (CU) def. Diana Popescu (UB), 6-2, 6-2 
3. Chelsea Davis (CU) def. Aleksandra Petrova (UB), 6-1, 6-4 
4. Kira Golenko (UB) def. Carling Donovan (CU), 6-4, 7-6 (1) 
5. Eliza Matache (CU) def. Tamara Markovic (UB), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1 
6. Diana Toia (UB) def. Diana Shapoval (CU), 6-4, 7-5 
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5*