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 TU seeks its fifth title in program history |
April 18, 2009
MONROEVILLE, Pa. - Freshman Helen Cunningham posted a straight-sets victory at No. 4 singles after teaming with sophomore Kelly Tidwell to win at third doubles as top-seeded Richmond advanced to the finals with a 4-0 victory over Charlotte on Saturday in the semifinals of the 2009 Atlantic 10 Women's Tennis Championship at the Club 4 Life.
Cunningham downed senior Koren Fleming, 6-2, 6-3, while UR junior Erin Clark registered a 6-4, 6-3 win at second singles to snap Charlotte senior Yudeshnee Pillay's 18-match winning streak. Vying for its second A-10 title in three years and sixth in program history, Richmond will square off against second-seeded and defending champion Temple at 10:30am on Sunday.
Despite dropping the doubles point (2-1) in a dramatic exchange that was clinched at the No. 1 flight by Xavier sophomores Kelsey Kinnard and Tifanie Treece, the Owls rallied in singles action to turn aside the third-seeded Musketeers, 4-1, in a rematch of the finals of the 2008 Championship. TU received straight-set victories from junior Elyse Steiner at No. 1 and sophomores Lucy Pazderova (No. 2) and Theresa Stangl (No. 3), while junior Christie Clermont's 6-2, 6-4 win over Kaitlyn Zinn at the fifth flight provided the winning point. The Owls advance to the finals for the eighth time in program annals and seek their fifth league crown.
"I am real happy with the way the team performed today and thought it was a strong team effort. We started out slow in doubles but rebounded and stepped it up in singles," said Temple head coach Steve Mauro.
"We are really looking forward to the challenge of trying to win back-to-back A-10 titles tomorrow versus Richmond."
Also on Saturday, No. 9 George Washington downed 12th-seeded Saint Joseph's, 4-0, while No. 11 Dayton earned a 4-1 win over No. 10 Fordham to tie the Colonials for ninth place. Senior Laura Danai secured the winning point at sixth singles as No. 6 Massachusetts edged seventh-seeded Duquesne, 4-2, giving head coach Judy Dixon her 200th victory as head coach of the Minutewomen. Earlier in the day, sophomore Casey Miller notched wins at first doubles and No. 2 singles as eighth-seeded Saint Louis outlasted No. 4 Rhode Island, 4-0, in a hard-fought four-hour match.
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Action commences at 8:00am on Sunday as Saint Louis faces Massachusetts for fifth place, followed by Temple-Richmond in the title match and Charlotte-Xavier for third place at 10:30am.
For complete coverage of the 2009 Atlantic 10 Women's Tennis Championship, log on to www.atlantic10.org
