April 6, 2006

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette women's tennis team improved to 16-3 heading into a doubleheader this weekend with a 6-1 win over an undermanned Rider squad on Thursday afternoon at Sullivan Courts.

The Leopards won six of the seven matches contested, and picked up the third doubles and sixth singles slots by default. The top doubles team of Chez Sarcias and Julia Strang defeated twin sisters Devin and Caitlin Crawbuck 8-3, and Lisa Fung-Kee-Fung and Lauren Clarke paired up for an 8-2 win over Tanya Cota and Danielle Morse to sweep the doubles point.

Saricas completed her day with a 6-0, 6-0 blanking of Cota at first singles. At No. 2, Strang dropped the first set 7-5 to Devin Crawbuck and was leading 2-0 in the second when Crawbuck was forced to retire due to injury. Caitlin Crawbuck earned Rider's only win with a 7-5, 6-2 decision over Fung-Kee-Fung at No. 3.

Lauren Clarke went to three sets with Morse before coming away with a 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 1-0 (10-2) decision in the tiebreaker. Ansley Scudder wrapped up the lineup at fifth singles with a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Kelly-Ann Chouinard.

Lafayette will face Colgate in Patriot League action on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., then stay at Sullivan Courts for a non-league match-up with Delaware State. The Leopards will continue league play on Sunday with a noon start against American.

Doubles
1. Chez Saricas and Julia Strang (L) d. Devin Crawbuck and Caitlin Crawbuck (R), 8-3
2. Lisa Fung-Kee-Fung and Lauren Clarke (L) d. Tanya Cota and Danielle Morse (R), 8-2
3. Stephanie Rosman and Danielle Bailey (L), default

Singles
1. Saricas (L) d. Cota (R), 6-0, 6-0
2. Strang (L) d. Devin Crawbuck (R), 5-7, 2-0 (retired)
3. Caitlin Crawbuck (R) d. Fung-Kee-Fung (L), 7-5, 6-2
4. Clarke (L) d. Morse (R), 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 1-0 (10-2)
5. Ansley Scudder (L) d. Kelly-Ann Chouinard (R), 6-3, 6-2
6. Meghan Fitzgerald (L), default