March 27, 2004

CLEMSON, S.C. - The University of Maryland women's tennis team was defeated 6-1 by 20-th ranked Clemson University in conference action, Saturday, at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center. Sophomore Jennifer Dent collected her ninth singles win of the spring season and gave Maryland its only point on the day with her victory in the No. 3 postion. With the loss, the Terps fell to 5-7, 0-2 in the ACC, while the Tigers improved to 14-3, 3-0 in the league.

Maryland's doubles lineup changed drastically with the hopes of finding a winning combination. However, Clemson claimed the team doubles point through the power of their two top-ranked doubles pairs.

The Tigers' 14th-ranked team of Maria Brito and Julie Coin defeated Marianne Baker (Glenelg, Md.) and Neda Mihneva (Sofia, Bulgaria) by a score of 8-5 in the No. 1. position. At number two doubles, No. 17 Daniela Alvarez and Alix Lacelarie of Clemson won an 8-5 decision over Ramona But (Timisoara, Romania) and Jennifer Dent (Safety Harbor, Fla.). Emily Marker (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Masha Senic (Glenmont, N.Y.) teamed up in the No. 3 slot. The Terp duo was defeated 8-1, by Richele LeSaldo and Karen Rombouts.

Down one point, the Terps looked to battle their way to their first conference victory of the season. Ranked 60th by the ITA, But led Maryland into singles action. She faced off against ninth-ranked Julie Coin in the top singles spot. Coin breezed by the Terp sophomore 6-1, 6-1.

Marker, ranked No. 77 by the ITA lost a heart breaker to No. 63 Daniela Alvarez in the No. 2 position. After losing the first set 2-6, Marker evened the match with her 6-2 win in the second. The match was decided by a super-tie-breaker, which Clemson's Alvarez won by a score of 11-9.

Dent climbed into the No. 3 spot for the Terps, taking on the Tigers' Maria Brito. The Terp sophomore came up with a huge win in a super-set thriller. Dent lost the first set 6-7, but then forced the match to a super-tie-breaker with her 7-6 (11) win in the second. Dent came out on top, overpowering Brito in the decisive tie-breaker, 11-9.

All the rest of the singles matches went the Tigers way. Baker was defeated 6-2, 6-1, by Karen Rombouts. Senic lost to the Tigers' Aliz Lacelarie 6-3, 6-1, in the No. 5 spot. Rounding out the Terps' singles line up was senior Chloe Chavardes (St. Nomblabreteche, France). She fell to Richele LeSaldo 6-2, 6-0, in the No. 6 position.

Maryland continues with its two-match road swing on Sunday, when the Terps meet Georgia Tech for an 11 a.m. ACC match up.

Final Score
#20 Clemson 6, #60 Maryland 1

Doubles
1. #14 Brito/Coin (CU) def. Baker/Neda Mihneva (UM) 8-5
2. #17 Alvarez/Lacelarie (CU) def. But/Dent (UM) 8-5
3. LeSaldo/Rombouts (CU) def. Marker/Senic (UM) 8-1

Singles
1. #9 Julie Coin (CU) def. #60 Ramona But (UM) 6-1, 6-1
2. #63 Daniela Alvarez (CU) def. #77 Emily Marker (UM) 6-2, 2-6, 1-0(11-9)
3. Jennifer Dent (UM) def. Maria Brito (CU) 6-7, 7-6(11), 1-0(10-8)
4. Karen Rombouts (CU) def. Marianne Baker (UM) 6-2, 6-1
5. Alix Lacelarie (CU) def. Masha Senic (UM) 6-3, 6-1
6. Richele LeSaldo (CU) def. Chloe Chavardes (UM) 6-2, 6-0