Doubled Up

BOSTON, Mass. – Led by Anitra Kloczewiak (Newton, MA), who tied the program record for most career doubles victories, women's tennis (5-5) defeated non-conference opponent Wentworth Institute of Technology (3-6) by the final score of 6-3 Thursday afternoon at the Boston College High School Tennis Courts.

With Thursday's win at first doubles, Kloczewiak notched her 25^th career victory in doubles competition.  Currently tied with Sabine Van Vlerken '01, the junior has also found herself in the hunt for the program's all-time combined wins record and possibly the all-time single wins record as well.

Helping her earn this career mark was MaKenna Arrigo (Yarmouth Port, MA) as the two earned an 8-3 win over Olivia Hagner (Medford, MA) and Joanna Gustafson (Wilbraham, MA).  That victory actually tied the match at 1-1, with Wentworth's Virginia Ofer (Cooperstown, NY) and Lana Ho (Vineyard Haven, MA) opening up play with an 8-2 win at third doubles.

Hieu Nguyen (Dorchester, MA) and Samantha Counts (Bridgewater, MA) gave UMass a 2-1 lead going into singles competition following their 8-4 win.

Continuing her strong play, Kloczewiak recorded her 19^th career singles victory with a 6-1, 6-0 victory.  She currently needs three more wins to tie the program record of 22 set by Denise Ridge '06. 

However, with a 6-2, 6-1 win by Ho, the Leopards remained in the match as they trailed UMass by the score of 3-2.  The two teams would continue to exchange wins, as Arrigo earned a 6-4, 6-2 win at second flight to make it 4-2 in favor of the Beacons.  Deborah Massaro made it a one-point match with her 6-3, 6-0 decision at third flight.

Giving the Beacons the edge and the victory was Nguyen and Wendy Steinman (Dudley, MA).  Both players had to earn hard fought wins in tie-breakers.  Steinman pulled out a 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 win, while Nguyen earned a 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 (10-6) victory.  That win marked Nguyen's ninth of the year, which leads both the Beacons and the Little East Conference.

Women's tennis returns to action tomorrow afternoon when they travel to Bridgewater State University for a 3 p.m. conference match.  Wentworth will be in action on Saturday when they host Roger Williams University at noon.

(Release Courtesy of UMass Boston Sports Information)