CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - In what Saint Joseph's women's tennis head coach Ian Crookenden called "the match of the tournament," the 11th seeded Hawks battled sixth seed Duquesne to the final point Thursday in the Opening Round of the 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship. Unfortunately for SJU, the Dukes would earn a victory in the final singles match to advance to the Quarterfinals.
Looking to avenge an early season loss to Duquesne, Saint Joseph's fell behind 1-0 as the Dukes took the doubles point.
The Hawks saw the deficit move to 3-0 as Duquesne took the No. 2 and No. 5 singles matches, but SJU displayed its resiliency.
At the top flight, senior Aurora Davis earned a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 victory for the Hawks' first point, while sophomore Alex Zachem battled to a 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles.
Rookie Maureen Devlin showed a veteran's poise at No. 4 singles as she pulled Saint Joseph's even with Duquesne as she earned a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win.
With the match coming down to the No. 3 singles, junior Kristina Eisenbrand dropped the first set, 6-4, but fought back for a 7-5 decision in the second set. Unfortunately for SJU, Eisenbrand dropped the competitive third set, 7-5, to Duquesne's Maddy Adams.
"It was the match of the tournament with SJU coming back after losing doubles and No. 5 and No. 2 singles," Crookenden said. "First, captain Aurora won a convincing three setter over a girl who had beaten her in the previous Duquesne dual meet. Then, Alex scored a three-set victory at sixth position before Maureen tied the score at 3-3 with a win at No. 4 singles."
"Kristina evened her match by winning the second set, 7-5 at No. 3 before losing a heartbreaker, 7-5, third set," Crookenden continued. "This was a college tennis match of the highest über tension and it thoroughly drained all participants and spectators. A great Hawk effort."
The Hawks, who had several matches canceled due to poor weather this Spring, finished the season with a 5-9 record.
DOUBLES
1. Kyle Isaacs/Sarah Shashura (DUQ) def. Aurora Davis/Alex Zachem (SJU), 8-2
2. Chandler Consonery/Alexa Miller (DUQ) def. Claire Minnoe/Maureen Devlin (SJU), 8-4
3. Megan Wasson/Zuzanna Stelmaszak (DUQ) vs. Kristina Eisenbrand/Lauren Roy (SJU) 7-3, DNF
Order of Finish: 1, 2
SINGLES
1. Aurora Davis (SJU) def. Kylie Isaacs (DUQ) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
2. Alexa Miller (DUQ) def. Claire Minnoe (SJU) 6-2, 6-1
3. Maddy Adams (DUQ) def. Kristina Eisenbrand (SJU) 6-4, 5-7, 7-5
4. Maureen Devlin (SJU) def. Spencer Caravaggio (DUQ) 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
5. Ally Miller (DUQ) def. Kelly Mulquin (SJU), 6-1, 6-2
6. Alex Zachem (SJU) def. Megan Wasson (DUQ) 6-4, 2-6, 6-0
Order of Finish: 2, 5, 1, 6, 4, 3
