Panthers Edged by No. 42 NC State

Sunday, April 3

Pittsburgh, Pa.

10:00 AM

Pitt

North Carolina State

Panthers Edged by No. 42 NC State

4/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

April 3, 2016

Final Stats | Box Score (PDF) | Season Stats

PITTSBURGH - The Pitt tennis team fell 5-2 to No. 42 NC State Sunday afternoon at the Alpha Tennis and Fitness Center. Freshman Carina Ma and redshirt junior Amber Washington were the lone Panthers to record wins on the day. Overall, we have done a good job competing

"I saw a lot of great things," head coach Alex Santos said. "I think we had a great showing in doubles and it was one of the most complete matches we have played. We just need to push a little harder and try to get it done next time."

The Wolfpack gained an early advantage in the dual after taking the doubles point. Playing in the No. 1 spot, Washington and sophomore Callie Frey dropped a 6-2 decision to NC State's Biance Moldovan and Joanna Nalborska. The tandem of juniors Lolade Ogungbesan and Audrey Ann Blakely then fell 6-2 to Martina Frantova and Tayla Stenta, giving the Wolfpack the doubles point. Battling at No. 3, the freshmen duo of Gabriela Rezende and Ma were leading 5-4 when the point was decided.

NC State turned in the first two singles wins on the day, extending its lead to 3-0. Blakely was the first Panther to fall at No. 2. She was defeated in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, by Nalborska.

Ogungbesan was the second Panther to drop her match at No. 1 singles. She fell 6-2 in the first set and lost a hard-fought second set 6-4.

Ma gave Pitt its first point of the day after a straight set win over NC State's Claudia Wiktorin at No. 4. The freshman recorded a dominating 6-2 first set win, followed by a 6-4 second set win.

The Wolfpack secured the dual after a win at No. 5 singles, however Rezende did not go down easy. The freshman was blanked 6-0 in the first set, but came back in the second to win 6-0. In the third set, with the games in favor of NC State 5-1, Rezende won three straight games to cut Rebol's lead to 5-4. Unfortunately it wouldn't be enough as Rezende would fall 6-4.

Frey was the next Panther to fall with a fight. The sophomore dropped the first set tiebreaker 7-6 and dominated the second set, 6-0. With the match already decided, Frey and Moldovan entered a third set tiebreaker where she was outlasted, 10-4.

Washington was the final Panther to conclude competition this afternoon. The redshirt junior edged Tayla Stenta 6-4 in the opening set and fell 6-2 in the second. Washington remained strong in the third set as she claimed the tiebreaker 7-3.

Pitt resumes action Friday, April 8 as it welcomes Syracuse for a 1 p.m. start.

Follow @Pitt_Tennis on Twitter and Instagram for updates on the team throughout the season.

SINGLES

#63 Martina Frantova (ST) def. Lolade Ogungbesan(UP) 6-2, 6-4
Joanna Nalborska (ST) def. #85 Audrey Ann Blakely(UP) 6-4, 6-3
Bianca Moldovan (ST) def. Callie Frey(UP) 7-6 (7-6), 0-6, 10-4
Carina Ma(UP) def. Claudia Wiktorin (ST) 6-2, 6-4
Amanda Rebol (ST) def. Gabriela Rezende(UP) 6-0, 0-6, 6-4
Amber Washington(UP) def. Tayla Stenta (ST) 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3)

DOUBLES

Martina Frantova/Tayla Stenta (ST) def. Lolade Ogungbesan/Audrey Ann Blakely (UP) 6-2
Bianca Moldovan/Joanna Nalborska (ST) def. Amber Washington/Callie Frey (UP) 6-2
Gabriela Rezende/Carina Ma (UP) vs. Amanda Rebol/Claudia Wiktorin (ST) 5-4, unfinished

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (2,1,4,5,3,6)