March 6, 2010

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland stepped back out of conference play and scored an impressive victory over Columbia University Saturday afternoon.

The Terrapins (3-5, 0-3 ACC) secured a victory early with Burce Kurkan's 6-3, 6-1 victory over the Lions' (4-6, 0-0 Ivy League) Diana Shapoval at No. 5 singles. Kurkan also earned her team leading fifth victory of the season to improve to 5-2 on the season and 2-0 at No. 5 singles.

Other Terp winners included Lisa Miller, Julia Huschke, Jordan Hansbrough, and Lexi Brand at No. 1, 3, 4, and 6 singles respectively. Brand dropped just one game in her 6-1, 6-0 victory over Columbia's Natalia Christenson.

For the fourth time this season the Terps swept the doubles point. Maryland lost just 3 games in doubles play, including an 8-0 victory for Kurkan and Huschke over Columbia's Christenson and Shapoval at No. 3 doubles.

Miller and Maggie MacKeever improved to 6-2 on the season after a convincing 8-1 victory over the Lions' Chelsea Davis and Natasha Makarova at No. 1 doubles.

"I thought we played our best tennis today so it was a nice way to end until after spring break," said Maryland head coach Howard Joffe.

The Terps get a few weeks off before starting a tough four game road trip at Florida International University March 19 at 2 p.m. in Miami, Fla.