Jan. 24, 2012

Results

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Sophomore Cristina Stancu and junior Ana Belzunce earned straight-set victories and the Terps' three doubles teams picked up wins as the 40th-ranked Maryland women's tennis team defeated Howard, 7-0, Tuesday afternoon at the Tennis Center at College Park.

After earning the doubles point, Howard challenged the Terps at No. 3, 4 and 5 singles, pushing each of the matches to three sets. But sophomore Welma Luus, senior Jordan Hansbrough and junior Vroni Van Berlo responded in their respective matches to win the final set.

"Howard came out ready to play us, but our girls performed and handled it well," said head coach Dianne Matias. "This match is going to help us a lot this weekend. A few of the matches were three setters. Michigan is going to be a tough, solid team and this is going to make us match tough."

At No. 6 singles, freshman Mikele Irazusta clinched the match for Maryland 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, for her first career singles victory.

Maryland heads to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the ITA Kick-Off Weekend on Saturday. The Terps face 10th-ranked Michigan at 10 a.m. The match will be broadcast on RadioTennis.com