Feb. 14, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland women's tennis team defeated the Old Dominion Monarchs, 6-1, in front of a large crowd at the Tennis Center at College Park, Sunday. The No. 75-ranked Terps (1-4, 0-0) wasted no time taking all but one of the singles matches. In doubles, the Terps got off to an early lead as they swept all of the matches.

"This was a big win for us. It helps us to get some confidence," said Maryland head coach Martin Novak.

Maryland's No. 1 doubles duo of Emily Marker (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Marianne Baker (Glenelg, Md.) took their fourth match of the season, defeating ODU's Nataly Cahana and Ferrinada Luiz, 8-4. The two Terps hold onto an 4-1 doubles record this spring.

Jennifer Dent (Safety Harbor, Fla.) and Masha Senic (Glenmont, N.Y.) defeated Maria Mariniez and Kerstin Endlich, 8-3, in the No. 2 doubles spot.

Securing the doubles point for the Terps was Ramona But (Timisoara, Romania) and Neda Mihneva (Sofia Bulgaria). The duo teamed up to down Coralie Herrmann and Larissa Santos, 8-6, in the No. 2 doubles position.

Coming up big in singles was Emily Marker. Going into the match as the No. 1 seed, Marker would face Cahana, whom she has played three previous times. Marker came into the match with an 0-3 record against the No. 33-ranked Monarch, with her most recent loss coming in the fall at the ITA East Regional. Marker claimed arguably her most rewarding win of the season as she topped Cahana in three sets.

After loosing the first set 4-6, Cahana fought back and nearly blanked Marker in the second. Not to let the match slip away, Marker showed poise and aggression as she defeated Cahana, 6-3 in the third set.

To sum up the morning of play, Terp co-captain Emily Marker put it best. "It was a huge win."

Playing in the Nos. 2 and 6 spots for the Terps, Ramona But and Masha Senic breezed by their opponents, not allowing a single match to be taken.

Baker rounded out the top half of the lineup for the Terps. She took her opponent, Ferrinana Luiz, to three sets. After quickly taking the first 6-1, Baker lost the second, 1-6. Luiz could not hold of the Terp freshman, who rebounded to take every game in the third.

The Monarchs prevented a shut-out, as Coralie Herrmann defeated sophomore Andreea Fusea, 6-3, 6-2.

Also winning in singles was Dent who defeated Larissa Santos, 6-3, 6-0, in the No. 4 singles position.

After a big win over the Monarchs, the Terps can breath a little easier. They will return to the courts Sunday morning, for an 11 a.m. match against Georgetown. All matches will be played at the Tennis Center at College Park.

Final Results
Maryland 6, Old Dominion 1
Doubles
No. 1 Marker/Baker def. Cahana/Luiz, 8-4
No. 2 But/Mihneva def. Herrmann/Stantos, 8-6
No. 3 Dent/Senic def. Martiniez/Endlich, 8-3

Singles
No. 1 Emily Marker def. Nataly Cahana, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
No. 2 Ramona But def. Kerstin Endlich, 6-0, 6-0
No. 3 Marianne Baker def. Ferrinada Luiz, 6-1, 1-6, 6-0
No. 4 Jennifer Dent def. Larissa Santos, 6-3, 6-0
No. 5 Coralie Herrmann def. Andreea Fusea, 6-3, 6-2
No. 6 Masha Senic def. Maria Martinez, 6-0, 6-0