March 1, 2008

Milwaukee - The Marquette women's tennis team improved to 6-7 on the season, extending their winning streak to five, as they defeated Rutgers, 5-2, and UW-Green Bay, 7-0, Saturday at Helfaer Tennis Stadium.

Things started out poorly for the Golden Eagles as they lost the doubles point in the first match against Rutgers. Fortunately, they responded by taking five of the six singles matches to earn the team victory. The victory over Rutgers improves Marquette's BIG EAST record to 2-0.

"We came out a little flat in doubles when we needed a lot of fire," coach Jody Bronson said. "Coming out with a sense of urgency in singles and allowed us to win five-of-six points."

After going down 2-6 in the first game to Amy Zhang, Christina Ruiz rebounded to win the second and third sets, 6-4, 7-5. Maria Calbeto picked up the victory in No. 2 singles, 6-2, 6-2, over Polina Zaretser.

In the second match of the day, Marquette came out strong and defeated UW-Green Bay with solid play from top-to-bottom.

"This match allowed us to do some things we don't normally do and be more aggressive," Bronson said.

The Golden Eagles completed a sweep by winning all three of the doubles matches and all six of the singles matches

Shannon Brown and Maggie Wilson picked up the victory in No. 3 doubles by shutting out Callee Conda and Kari Petrashek, 8-0. Elly Strother also shut out her opponent in No. 6 singles as she defeated Kari Petrashek, 6-0, 6-0.

All told, Marquette allowed the Phoenix to pick up only eleven total victories.

The Golden Eagles return to action at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8 at BIG EAST foe, Louisville.

Singles Competition:

1. Elder-Bush, Katrina (RU) def. Watkins, Erin (MARQ) 6-2, 6-2

2. Calbeto, Maria (MARQ) def. Zaretser, Polina (RU) 6-2, 6-2

3. Ruiz, Christina (MARQ) def. Zhang, Amy (RU) 2-6, 6-4, 7-5

4. Hush, Rachael (MARQ) def. Arlak, Katherine (RU) 6-0, 6-1

5. Metzler, Robin (MARQ) def. Baker, Caitlin (RU) 6-4, 6-0

6. Wilson, Maggie (MARQ) def. Tran, Christine (RU) 6-2, 6-4

Doubles Competition:

1. Zaretser, Polina/Zhang, Amy (RU) def. Ruiz, Christina/Calbeto, Maria (MARQ) 8-6

2. Elder-Bush, Katrina/ Tran, Christine (RU) def. Hush, Rachael/Watkins, Erin (MARQ) 8-5

3. Wilson, Maggie/Brown, Shannon (MARQ) def. Arlak, Katherine/ Baker, Caitlin (RU) 8-4

Marquette 7, Green Bay 0

Singles Competition:

1. Watkins, Erin (MARQ) def. Lawent, Emily (UWGB) 6-2, 6-0

2. Calbeto, Maria (MARQ) def. Stadum, Kelly (UWGB) 6-1, 6-1

3. Ruiz, Christina (MARQ) def. Grimando, Lauryn (UWGB) 6-0, 6-1

4. Wilson, Maggie (MARQ) def. Bartingale, Laura (UWGB) 6-0, 6-1

5. Brown, Shannon (MARQ) def. Conda, Callee (UWGB) 6-1, 6-1

6. Strother, Elly (MARQ) def. Petrashek, Kari (UWGB) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles Competition:

1. Ruiz, Christina/Calbeto, Maria (MARQ) def. Lawent, Emily/Grimando, Lauryn (UWGB) 8-1

2. Hush, Rachael/Watkins, Erin (MARQ) def. Bartingale, Laura/ Stadum, Kelly (UWGB) 8-1

3. Brown, Shannon/Strother, Ely (MARQ) def. Conda, Callee/ Petrashek, Kari (UWGB) 8-0