April 7, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland women's tennis team fell in conference action Wednesday, to Virginia, 4-3. Playing on the Tennis Center at College Park's outdoor courts for the first time this season, the Terps were unable to post their first conference victory. Newly ranked No. 32 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, sophomore Ramona But led the Terps in the top singles spot, winning her twelfth singles match of the 2004 season.

Virginia claimed the critical team doubles point, winning in the Nos. 1 and 3 positions. Maryland's Masha Senic (Glenmont, N.Y.) and Neda Mihneva (Sofia, Bulgaria) were defeated 8-3 by Shannon Stough and Caroline Hammond in the No. 3 spot. The Terps struck back, evening the doubles tally at 1-1, when Jennifer Dent (Safety Harbor, Fla.) and Chloe Chavardes (St. Nomblabreteche, France) defeated the Bechliwanis twins in the No. 2 slot.

However, Virginia took the early lead as Mariko Fritz-Krockow and Kristen James won 8-6 over Ramona But (Timisoara, Romania) and Emily Marker (Ann Arbor, Mich.).

Newly ranked in the top fifty for the first time this season, But came out swinging in the top singles spot. The 32-ranked sophomore defeated Mariko Fritz-Krockow, 6-3, 6-3. Kristen James defeated Jennifer Dent 6-2, 6-0 in the No. 2 slot. Marianne Baker (Glenelg, Md.) came up big in the No. 3 position defeating Dora Bechliwanis in a thrilling-three setter, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5.

Marker was defeated by Marta Bechliwanis in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. Chavardes dropped her match to Lauren Bruch, 3-6, 3-6, to give the Cavs four points and the win.

With her back up against the wall, Mihneva fought her way back into her match with Caroline Hammond. She grinded her opponent down and won 6-4, 6-7, 1-0 (10-4).

Maryland completes its season this weekend. The Terps will travel to NC State on Saturday, Apr. 10 and to Wake Forest Apr. 11 at Noon.

No. 58 Virginia 4, No. 56 Maryland 3
Doubles
No. 1 Fritz-Krockow/K. James (UVa) def. Marker/But  (UM) 8-6
No. 2 Dent/Chavardes (UM) def. D. Bechliwanis/M. Bechliwanis  (UVa) 8-5
No. 3 Stough/Hammond (UVa) def.  Senic/Mihneva (UM) 8-3
Singles
No. 1 #32 Ramona But (UM) def. Mariko Fritz-Krockow (UVa) 6-3, 6-3
No. 2 Kristen James (UVa) def. Jennifer Dent (UM) 6-2, 6-0
No. 3 Marianne Baker (UM) def. Dora Bechliwanis (UVa) 6-4, 2-6, 7-5
No. 4 Marta Bechliwanis (UVa) def. #91 Emily Marker (UM) 6-2, 6-2
No. 5 Lauren Bruch (UVa) def. Chloe Chavardes (UM) 6-3, 6-3
No. 6 Neda Mihneva (UM) def. Caroline Hammond (UVa) 6-4, 6-7, 10-4