April 8, 2011
Results
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The Maryland women's tennis team lost a tough one Friday afternoon, falling to Florida State 4-3.
Maryland (12-6, 2-6 ACC) got a stellar performance out of newcomer Cristina Stancu. The freshman from Constanta, Romania easily dropped FSU's Federica Suess at No. 5 singles 6-1, 6-2 in her Maryland debut to even the match at 2-2. But No. 31 Florida State (9-7, 4-4 ACC) came back to nab two straight points, knocking off the 26th-ranked Terps.
Cristina Sanchez-Quintanar bounced back nicely from losing her first two matches of the season last weekend, having no problems as she defeated 42nd-ranked Katie Rybakova in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 1 position, to get the Terps on the board and tie the match at 1-all. The junior is currently No. 32 in singles after beginning the season unranked.
The Terps dropped the doubles point for just the fifth time this season, leaving them in an early 1-0 hole. Sanchez-Quintanar and Jordaan Sanford, ranked 39th in doubles, improved to 17-1 on the dual season with an 8-5 win at No. 1 doubles.
Sanford capped off the match with an upset victory over the `Noles' 62nd-ranked Noemie Scharle 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3. It was Sanford's second win over a ranked opponent in the last eight days after beating Georgia Tech's 86th-ranked Viet Ha Ngo a week ago in the Terps' win over the Yellow Jackets.
Maryland had a chance to take a late 3-2 lead, after freshman Welma Luus won the first set at No. 4 singles. Instead, the Seminoles' Ruth Seaborne came charging back to grab the 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 win and give the `Noles the 3-2 advantage late.
"Our girls fought hard," said Maryland head coach Howard Joffe. "Our opponent did a very good job today but I'm pleased with how our team fought."
Saturday is Senior Day for the Terps as they play host to No. 5 Miami at 2 p.m. on campus at the Cole Tennis Courts
Maryland will honor lone senior Julia Huschke, who has started all 18 dual matches for the Terps this season in both singles and doubles.
Updated Saturday, April 9 11:30 a.m.
