Pitt
Duquesne
Panthers Dominate Duquesne in Season Opener
1/13/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Box Score
PITTSBURGH - The Pitt tennis team opened the 2017 season on a high note as the Panthers claimed eight victories over cross-town foe, Duquesne, Friday afternoon at the Alpha Tennis and Fitness Center.
"I saw a great base so we can build and I saw a lot of good patterns and energy," fourth-year head coach Alex Santos said. "We just need to develop and refine our game a little more to be more disciplined and tougher. I was very pleased with the energy, effort and the overall quality of tennis."
The tandem of redshirt senior Amber Washington and junior Callie Frey got things going at No. 1 doubles as they quickly blanked Zuzanna Stelmaszak and Ally Miller of Duquesne, 6-0. Soon after, the duo of senior Audrey Ann Blakely and sophomore Clara Lucas outlasted Koralie Etinne and Laurel Shymansky, 7-5, in the No. 3 position. Rounding out the doubles victory, was the young doubles team of sophomore Gabriela Rezende and freshman Jovana Knezevic as they defeated Megan Wasson and Sara Mitrovic, 7-6 (3), at No. 3 doubles.
Washington and Blakely finished first and second again, respectively, in singles. Making the move from No. 6 to No. 1 singles from a year ago, Washington took the first set, 6-3, from Wasson and blanked her, 6-0, in the second. Blakely also won in straight sets, as she defeated Stelmaszak 6-2, 6-0.
Playing No. 3 singles, Rezende collected a 6-4 win in the first set and outlasted Shymansky, 7-5, in the second.
At No. 4 singles, Knezevic made her individual spring debut and dropped a hard-fought battle to Aishwarya Kona. Knezevic took the first set 6-2, but fell 4-6, 0-6 in the following sets.
Frey, a Pittsburgh product, took down Miller in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, at No. 5, while Lucas also collected a straight-set victory over Etienne at No. 6 singles.
The Panthers conclude the Vartabedian Invite Saturday, Jan. 14 at 3 p.m. as they host Morgan State.
Doubles
1: Amber Washington/Callie Frey (Pitt) def. Zuzanna Stelmaszak/Ally Miller (Duquesne), 6-0\
2: Gabriela Rezende/Jovana Knezevic (Pitt) def. Megan Wasson/Sara Mitrovic (Duquesne), 7-6 (3)
3: Audrey Ann Blakely/Clara Lucas (Pitt) def. Koralie Etienne/Laurel Shymansky (Duquesne), 7-5
Singles
1: Amber Washington (Pitt) def. Megan Wasson (Duquesne), 6-3, 6-0
2: Audrey Ann Blakely (Pitt) def. Zuzanna Stelmaszak (Duquesne), 6-2, 6-0
3: Gabriela Rezende (Pitt) def. Laurel Shymansky (Duquesne), 6-4, 7-5
4: Aishwarya Kona (Duquesne) def. Jovana Knezevic (Pitt), 2-6, 6-4, 6-0
5: Callie Frey (Pitt) def. Ally Miller (Duquesne), 6-3, 6-4
6: Clara Lucas (Pitt) def. Koralie Etienne (Duquesne), 6-0, 6-4
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