The Fairleigh Dickinson women's tennis team finished its regular season schedule Tuesday afternoon as they defeated Rhode Island, 5-2, in a non-conference match at the FDU Tennis Courts in Teaneck. It was senior day for seniors Julija Korshunova (Riga, Latvia/Secondary School #75), Jessica DeCarlos (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional) and Ksenia Chernyshova (Moscow, Russia/Secondary School Korolev) as they played their final home match for the Knights. Fairleigh Dickinson is playing its best tennis of the season at the right time as they have now won eight dual matches in a row and 11 of its last 12. With the victory, the Knights finish the regular season play 15-4 in dual meets, including a perfect 5-0 in Northeast Conference play.
In number one singles, Korshunova defeated Tam Emery, 6-4, 6-3. Sophomore Elmine Botes (Heidelberg Gauteng, Rep. of South Africa/Hoer Volkskool and British International Distance College) defeated Kirsten Liekem in number two singles, 6-2, 6-4. Sophomore Julia Prantl (Benediktbeuern, Germany/GUS-Gymnasium Bad Tolz) won in number three singles over Tristany Leikem, 6-3, 7-5. In number four singles, freshman Egzona Morina (Prishtina, Kosovo/American School of Kosovo) defeated Kristen Cadigan, 6-3, 6-2. Chernyshova was defeated by Amanda Barletta in number five singles, 6-3, 6-1. DeCarlos was defeated by Brooke Hoover in number six singles, 8-1.
In number one doubles action, Botes and Korshunova defeated Emery and Barletta, 8-6. The tandem of Prantl and Morina won, 9-8 (7-5), in number two doubles over Tristany Leikem and Cadigan. Chernyshova and DeCarlos lost in number three doubles to Kirsten Liekem and Hoover, 9-8 (7-5).
"It was senior day today, and it was the last home match for Julija Korshunova (Riga, Latvia/Secondary School #75), Jessica DeCarlos (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional) and Ksenia Chernyshova (Moscow, Russia/Secondary School Korolev)," said Head Coach Ira Miller. "They are the three players that have been the heart and soul of the team over the last four years. They were my first recruits when I returned, and they all signed early in the fall of 2006. All three will be missed, but we are looking forward to playing in the conference championships this weekend."
The Knights return to action this Friday, April 16 as they will take on the winner of the Robert Morris/Wagner winner at 4:30 p.m. at the Northeast Conference Championships in West Windsor, NJ. The Knights are the number one seed in the tournament.
