March 27, 2009

Greenville, S.C. - The Furman women's tennis team saw its five-match winning streak come to an end as the visiting Brown University Bears defeated the Lady Paladins, 5-2, on Friday afternoon at Mickel Tennis Center. The match was forced indoors due to inclement weather. Furman dropped to 8-7 overall while Brown improved to 14-2 on the season.

Brown took the upper hand early in the match, winning all three doubles matches to earn the team point. Furman's Susan Bitetti and Jessica Preeg had their six-match winning streak snapped, falling 8-5 to Brown's Emily Ellis and Kathrin Sorokko. Lady Paladin duo Laura Gioia and Monica Arguello were looking for a sixth straight win, but fell 8-6 in a tight battle against Bianca Aboubakare and Cassandra Herzberg.

In singles action, Gioia pulled out a 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-5 victory against Bianca Aboubakare. The senior improved to 10-4 on the season, winning her fourth consecutive match at the top position. Senior Lauren Tomory won her ninth straight match, battling back from a set down to force a third set and then earning the win when Carissa Aboubakare was forced to retire.

Furman will look to defend its undefeated Southern Conference record when it hosts league foe Georgia Southern on Sunday afternoon at noon.

Brown 5, Furman 2
Doubles
1. Bianca Aboubakare/Cassandra Herzberg (BU) def. Laura Gioia/Monica Arguello (FUR) 8-6
2. Carissa Aboubakare/Sara Mansur (BU) def. Jennifer Betts/Lauren Tomory (FUR) 8-1
3. Emily Ellis/Kathrin Sorokko (BU) def. Susan Bitetti/Jessica Preeg (FUR) 8-5

Singles
1. #12 Laura Gioia (FUR) def. Bianca Aboubakare (BU) 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-5
2. Cassandra Herzberg (BU) def. #85 Monica Arguello (FUR) 6-0, 6-0
3. Tanja Vucetic (BU) def. Jessica Preeg (FUR) 6-3, 6-1
4. Sara Mansur (BU) def. Susan Bitetti (FUR) 6-4, 6-3
5. Lauren Tomory (FUR) def. Carissa Aboubakare (BU) 1-6, 7-6 (1), ret.
6. Julie Flanzer (BU) def. Jennifer Betts (FUR) 6-2, 6-1