University of Albany

Women’s Tennis Rebounds for 4-3 Win Against Bryant

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Entering Sunday on a seven-match losing streak, the University at Albany women’s tennis team (6-9) reversed its fortunes and claimed a narrow victory against their only opponent of the weekend, Bryant.  The Great Danes won the match 4-3, earning their first win since they swept a weekend set against Hofstra, Marist, and Hartford from Feb. 8 through Feb. 9.

"This was a nice win,” said head coach Gordon Graham.  “Anytime you can get a “W” when you have to forfeit a point at No. 6, you're doing well.  We had come close several times with only five players, so it was great to finally get over the hump.  I was proud of the way we fought back.”

UAlbany took two of three doubles matches from the Bulldogs.  Cheryl Kukkonen and Alba Sala won their match 8-4, while Mireille Hermans and Paulina Torres won 8-5.  The Hermans/Torres victory clinched the doubles point for the Danes, despite Kirsten Scott and Cathryn Crummey falling in a tiebreaker in their match 8-7 (4).

With the doubles point in hand, a default victory by Bryant knotted the scoring at one point apiece.  Sala (6-3, 6-2) and Torres (6-1, 6-1) won their matches in convincing fashion, giving UAlbany the edge 3-1, needing only one more point to clinch the victory.  Hermans (4-6, 1-6) and Kukkonen (3-6, 2-6) lost their matches however, earning Bryant another tie in the overall scoring.  With the outcome resting on the result of the final match, Scott earned a three set victory (4-6, 6-1, 6-0) to clinch the victory for UAlbany 4-3.

UAlbany visits Providence on Wednesday, faces Sacred Heart on Saturday and finishes with Manhattan at the USTA's National Tennis Center on Sunday.  Their next home match will be against America East rival Stony Brook on Friday, April 11 at 11:30 a.m.