March 28, 2006

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lehigh won five of six singles matches after dropping the doubles point to claim a 5-2 win against Lafayette in the Patriot League women's tennis opener for both teams at the Ulrich Varsity Courts.

Chez Saricas and Julia Strang teamed for an 8-3 win at first doubles and Stephanie Rosman and Danielle Bailey were victorious 8-5 at the third spot to earn the first point of the afternoon for the Leopards. Lisa Fung-Kee-Fung and Lauren Clarke suffered an 8-3 setback at second doubles.

Lehigh won competitive matches at the top three singles slots to come away with the victory. Gwen Dwyer downed Saricas at No. 1 and Ariela Cohen beat Fung-Kee-Fung at No. 2 by identical 6-4, 6-4 scores, while Alexis Jacobi outlasted Strang 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) in third singles.

Ansley Scudder was the lone singles winner for the Leopards with a 6-2, 6-3 decision over Lindsay Long at fifth singles. Clarke fell 6-1, 6-3 at No. 4 and Meghan Fitzgerald went down 6-1, 6-0 at No. 6.

Lafayette will return to Patriot League action on Sunday with a 10 a.m. match with Bucknell at Sullivan Courts.

Doubles
1. Chez Saricas/Julia Strang (LC) def. Alexis Jacobi/Starrine Foster (LU), 8-3
2. Gwen Dwyer/Ariela Cohen (LU) def. Lisa Fung-Kee-Fung/Lauren Clarke, (LC) 8-3
3. Stephanie Rosman/Danielle Bailey (LC) def. Ashley Donohue/Allie Schwartz (LU), 8-5

Singles
1. Dwyer (LU) def. Saricas (LC), 6-4, 6-4
2. Cohen (LU) def. Fung-Kee-Fung (LC), 6-4, 6-4
3. Jacobi (LU) def. Strang (LC), 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6)
4. Schwartz (LU) def. Clarke (LC), 6-1, 6-3
5. Ansley Scudder (LC) def. Lindsay Long (LU), 6-2, 6-3
6. Cessa Murasko-Blank (LU) def. Meghan Fitzgerald (LC), 6-1, 6-0