Nov. 6, 2009

HANOVER, NH - The Minutewomen fell in a close match against the Boston University Terriers, 4-3. Today's match was the first of three the Minutewomen will play at the Big Green Invitational, hosted by Dartmouth. After more than three weeks since competition, their last match was against Rhode Island on Oct. 14, the Minutewomen were excited to see some good competition. The Terriers finished last season ranked 59th with wins over ranked opponents such as Boston College, Harvard, and Virginia Commonwealth. The Terriers started off with the momentum, winning Nos. 1 and 2 doubles to earn the first point of the match. Singles play was even with each team winning three matches. UMass' Candynce Boney fought hard and came up with a close win, pulling out the third set against BU's Jessi Linero, 7-6, 6-7, 6-2.

At No. 1 doubles the UMass duo of senior captain Maude Lecluyse and junior Boney took on Francine Whu and Monika Mical of BU. Unfortunately Whu and Mical were able overcome the Minutewomen with an 8-4 win. At. No. 2 doubles BU's Petra Santini and Jessi Linero defeated sophomore Magdalena Ploch and freshman Julia Comas, 8-4.

At. No. 1 singles, sophomore Ploch continued her success with a win against last seasons AE Rookie and Player of the year, Stefanie Nunic, 4-6, 7-6, 2-2 (ret.). Ploch is coming off an impressive showing at the ITA championships last week, where she defeated top players from Army and Harvard. Ploch also earned A-10 player of the week due to her outstanding performance. Ploch is now 9-2 in singles for the season.

At. No. 2 singles, after winning the first set, Comas fell in a close three-setter to Santini, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Comas is now 6-2 in singles play for the season. At No. 3 singles Boney also had a tough three-setter. After winning the first set in a tiebreak she was unable to convert the second breaker, she then took charge in the third set Boney to win it 6-2. BU had wins at Nos. 4 and 5 singles against Lecluyse and Tanisha Hodgson. At No. 6 singles freshman Jocelyn Providence, seeing her first singles play action at UMass, defeated Inayat Khosla, 8-3. Because the dual had already been decided Providence and Khosla played an 8-game proset format.

There were two exhibition matches of the day between UMass and Dartmouth. Dartmouth's Carissa King had a win over UMass' Gabby Jannotta, 6-1, 6-1. And Dartmouth player Christina Danosi defeated Providence, in her second match of the day, 8-2.

The Minutewomen are back in action tomorrow (Saturday Nov. 7) when they will play a dual match-up against St. Johns. UMass will then continue tournament play on Sunday against Dartmouth. UMass will face all three of these teams later on in the spring season.

Stay tuned to UMassAthletics.com for updated matches and results

Friday's Final Results:
BU 4, UMass 3

Doubles:
#1. Francine Whu/ Monika Mical (BU) Def. Maude Lecluyse/ Candynce Boney (UM), 8-4
#2. Petra Santini/Jessi Linero (BU) Def. Magdalena Ploch/Julia Comas (UM), 8-4

Singles:
#1. Magdalena Ploch (UM) Def. Stefanie Nunic (BU), 4-6, 7-6, 2-2 (ret.)
#2. Petra Santini (BU) Def. Julia Comas (UM), 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
#3. Candynce Boney (UM) Def. Jessi Linero (BU), 7-6, 6-7, 6-2

 #4. Francine Whu (BU) Def. Maude Lecluyse (UM), 6-1, 6-4
#5. Monika Mical (BU) Def. Tanisha Hodgson (UM), 6-3, 6-3
#6. Jocelyn Providence (UM) Def. Inayat Khosla (BU), 8-3
#7. Carissa King (Dartmouth) Def. Gabriella Jannotta (UM), 6-1, 6-1
#8. Christina Danosi (Dartmouth) Def. Jocelyn Providence (UM), 8-2