Courtesy Boston University Athletic Communications
LOS ANGELES ? The Boston University women’s tennis team fell to #8 Southern California, 4-0, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday afternoon at the Marks Tennis Center. The Terriers, making their ninth-straight NCAA appearance, ended the year with an overall record of 13-6.
“I think that USC is a very tough team,” head coach Lesley Sheehan said following the match. “I thought at times we played well against them and at other times I thought we could have done a little bit more against them.”
The Trojans took the early lead, winning the sole doubles point after claiming the first and third courts. Senior co-captain Erin Katims and freshman Francine Whu took on USC’s Judy DeVera and Amanda Fink, who entered the match ranked #47 in doubles action. The Terrier duo won the first game, but couldn’t regain the lead as USC won seven-straight games to take the pro set 8-2.
On the third court, sophomore Yana Sadovskaya and freshman Rebbeca Row faced Sarah Fransler and Lindsey Nelson. BU broke USC’s serve in the first game to go up 1-0. The set stayed close, until the Trojans went back on serve to go up 3-2. BU tied the set 3-3, but couldn’t contain USC, who won the pro set 8-3.
Junior Katie Draganova and freshman Liz Corrao played against Dianne Matias and Julie Smekodub on the second court. BU was down 7-2 when the first two courts finished.
In singles action, the Trojans swept BU 3-0 to end the match. On the fourth court, Whu faced Anca Anastasiu who won the first set 6-1, before taking the second set 6-0.
The Trojans picked up their third point of the day by winning the number three court. Row faced off against #73 Fink. Row took the lead twice in the first set, before Fink took over, winning the first set 6-2 and the second set 6-0.
USC secured the win on the sixth court, as Devera defeated Corrao 6-1, 6-1.
On the remaining courts, USC had claimed all three first sets, but where only leading on one court in the second set.
Sadovskaya lost her first set to #11 Fransler, 6-3, but was tied, 2-2, in the second set when the match ended. On the fifth court, sophomore Cori Lefkowith lost her first set, 6-0, to Matias, but was tied 4-4 at match’s end.
The sole Terrier to trail in the second set was Katims. After losing the first set, 6-0, to #5 Nelson, Katims was trailing 4-0 when USC captured the first round victory.
“I thought we had a good season overall,” Sheehan said. “Tennis is a long season. We had our biggest win ever, when we defeated then-No. 26 Harvard and I think we played very consistent, which is proven in our record. We played great at the America East tournament and deserved to get into the NCAA tournament.”
Doubles
1. #47 Judy DeVera/Amanda Fink (USC) def. Erin Katims/Francine Whu (BU), 8-2
2. Dianne Matias/Julie Smekodub (USC) led Katie Draganova/Liz Corrao (BU), 7-2, DNF
3. Sarah Fransler/Lindsey Nelson (USC) def. Yana Sadovskaya/Rebecca Row (BU), 8-3
Singles
1. #5 Lindsey Nelson (USC) led Erin Katims (BU), 6-2, 4-0, DNF
2. #11 Sarah Fansler (USC) led Yana Sadovskaya (BU), 6-3, 2-2, DNF
3. #73 Amanda Fink (USC) def. Rebecca Row (BU), 6-2, 6-0
4. Anca Anastasiu (USC) def. Francine Whu (BU), 6-1, 6-0
5. #85 Dianne Matias (USC) led Cori Lefkowith (BU), 6-0, 4-4, DNF
6. Judy DeVera (USC) def. Liz Corrao (BU), 6-1, 6-1