Women's tennis defeats GWU despite absence of key players

Hoping to mirror its success in recent home matches, the women’s tennis team trekked to College Park, Md. this weekend to face two out-of-state opponents, George Washington and Maryland. The Lions endured some setbacks, as the dynamic No. 1 doubles team of freshman Nicole Bartnik and senior co-captain Carling Donovan did not play in either match. Despite their absences from the court this weekend, the Lions notched an exciting 4-3 win over George Washington University. This win would be the high point of the weekend, though, as Columbia could not maintain its momentum during the second match, falling to Maryland 6-1. This weekend’s mixed results left the Lions with a 5-6 record.

Having not faced GWU in more than four seasons, Columbia wasn’t fully sure what to expect. But despite the challenges of facing a new competitor, the Lions played an outstanding match. Their success was foreshadowed by superb play in doubles, as they claimed an early lead, winning in the No. 2 and 3 spots.

Along with the new opponent came a new strategy in doubles. At No. 2, sophomore Eliza Matache and freshman Katarina Kovacevic paired up in the No. 2 spot for the first time. The duo was an instant hit, and notched a dominant 8-2 win over GWU’s Jacqueline Corba and Dorota Lysienia. At No. 3 doubles, Columbia’s Natalia Christenson and Diana Shapoval also saw success, snagging an 8-5 win over Sasha Gluck and Jennifer Hirsh. Replacing Bartnik and Donovan in the No. 1 spot, Natasha Makarova and Chelsea Davis competed well, but could not take the win, falling 8-5. Two out of three wins, however, was enough to earn the Lions the point.
In singles play, the Lions saw mixed results. Columbia endured losses at the end of the bracket, as underclassmen fell in the Nos. 4 though 6 singles matches. Sophomore transfer Caroline Constable saw a 6-1, 6-1 loss in the No. 6 spot, while freshman Kovacevic played a persistent first set, but ultimately lost 7-6(1), 6-3. At No. 5, freshman Shapoval won impressively in the first set, 6-4, but lost 7-6(1) in a hard-fought second set, only to drop the super tiebreaker 1-0(9).

These disappointing losses were countered by commanding wins in the Nos. 1 through 3 spots. Clinching a 7-6(3) first-set win, sophomore Matache continued her determined play at No. 3 and defeated her opponent 6-3 in the second set. Freshman Davis stole a 6-4, 6-2 win, beating Mimi Hamling handedly at No. 2. Co-captain Makarova then defeated GWU’s No. 1 Corba, winning 7-6(3), 6-2.

The Lions looked to build on the momentum from first victory to their second match of the weekend against the Maryland Terps. But despite the momentum gained on Friday, Columbia was not expecting an easy match against Maryland, a team with a relatively strong program. Last season, the Terps swept the Lions in a 7-0 match. This time, with the absence of two key players, the Lions lost 6-1, with the lone win coming at No. 1 singles by Makarova.

Maryland claimed three strong victories over Columbia, giving them an early lead. Replacing Bartnik and Donovan at No. 1 doubles, Davis and Makarova took on Lisa Miller and Maggie MacKeever, but fell 8-1. Hoping to continue their success as a doubles team, Matache and Kovacevic played in the No. 2 spot in a difficult match. Despite its efforts, the Light Blue duo could not hold up against Maryland, and lost 8-2. Maryland stole its final doubles victory at No. 3, as Shapoval and co-captain Christenson were swept 8-0.

Falling into a 1-0 hole early on, the Lions had a difficult time in their efforts to bounce back. At No. 6, Christenson was the first to fall, losing to Lexi Brand 6-1, 6-0. And after her successful play in the George Washington match, Kovacevic played at No. 4 but did not maintain her momentum from her performance on Friday, losing 6-2, 6-1 to Jordan Hansbrough.

Putting the Lions on the board, Makarova claimed a win in the No. 1 singles spot, crushing Miller 6-3, 6-2. Despite determined play in the Nos. 2 and 3 spots, Makarova’s win would be the only one of the afternoon. Matache pushed her way through two tough sets but could not rise above her opponent at No. 3, as she lost 6-4, 6-4. In the No. 2 singles spot, Davis would not go down without a fight. After falling 7-5 in a close first set, she rallied back in the second to win 6-4. Battling for the victory, Davis played a tough tiebreaker, but lost 11-9.

Next week, the Lions head for warmer weather as they travel to Boca Raton, Fla. for spring training. There, they will face four different opponents, including NJIT, Clemson, Florida Atlantic, and Nova Southeastern. Columbia will not return home until Friday, March 26 for a 4 p.m. match against nonconference foe Fordham.