University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
LIU
Huskies Edged by LIU, 4-3
3/7/2020 10:09:00 AM | Women's Tennis
STORRS, Conn. – The UConn women's team opened their weekend with a tough 4-3 loss to LIU on Friday afternoon at the Magic Lincer Tennis Club in Manchester.
The Huskies battled to a doubles win but lost four of the six singles matches to the Sharks. "This was a battle all the way until the last point today," stated director of tennis Glenn Marshall. "Our team opened the day with the best doubles win of our spring season. All three teams were focused and energized, and executed in all of the areas we have been working on in practice."
Sophomore Luciana Rabines (Barcelona, Spain) and freshman Denise Lai (Setauket, N.Y.) got things started with a 6-2 win over Elinor Storkaas and Bianca Compuesto at No. 2. The Huskies clinched the opening point by winning at No. 3 with the senior-freshman combo of Cassie Chung (Vancouver, British Columbia) and Caroline Cook (Naples, Fla.) won 6-3 over Victoria Erechtchenko and Phoebe Watton.
"In the singles, our opponents came out and won the first set on 5 of 6 courts," said Marshall. "Denise won her first set and never looked back in her straight set win. After losses at number one and two singles, the team score stood at 2-2. We then came from behind in number 4, 5, and 6 singles to split sets on all of those courts. "
Lai earned a 6-1 and 6-2 win at No. 3 over Storkaas at the No. 3 spot. The other UConn win came at No. 6 where fellow freshman Doga Selen Takunyaci (Istanbul, Turkey) rebounded from falling 6-3 in the first set to storm back for a 6-3 and 6-1 win.
"Selen had a great win in 3 sets to put us up 3-2 in the match. Caroline played very well, but lost a close 3 setter to tie the match at 3-3. The match came down to Luciana at number 4 singles. She battled until the end, but came up just short in the third set tiebreaker. I'm proud of the fighting spirit the team showed today in this extremely tough loss."
The Huskies are back in action on Wednesday afternoon as they host state-rival Sacred Heart at 1 pm at the Magic Lincer Tennis Club.
Players Mentioned
