NEW YORK - The Columbia women's tennis team fell to 5-6 overall Saturday, as the Lions dropped a 6-1 loss against Maryland in College Park, Md. Columbia's lone win came at No. 1 singles, from junior Natasha Makarova
In doubles, Maryland had three strong wins against the Lions to take the early match lead. First-year Chelsea Davis and Makarova fell at No. 1, 8-1, while Eliza Matache and Katarina Kovacevic fell in the No. 2 doubles spot, 8-2. And junior Natalia Christenson and first-year Diana Shapoval had an 8-0 loss in the third spot.
Maryland won three singles matches quickly and clinched the win, before Makarova was able to get the Lions on the board. Christenson, playing in the No. 6 singles spot, was the first to fall, as she was beaten by Lexi Brand, 6-1, 6-0. Kovacevic had a loss at No. 4 to the Terps' Jordan Hansbrough, 6-1, 6-1, and Maryland clinched the win at No. 5, as Burce Kurkan defeated Shapvoal, 6-3, 6-1.
Co-captain Makarova was able to get the Lions on the board next, as she had a win in the No. 1 singles spot, beating Lisa Miller 7-5, 4-6, 11-9. It would be the last win of the day, however, as Matache put up a tough fight but fell at No. 3, 6-4, 6-4, and Davis fell at No. 2, 6-3, 6-2.
Up next, the women's tennis team will hit the road for spring break, as the Lions will head to Boca Raton, Fla. There, they will take on four different opponents, including NJIT, Clemson, Florida Atlantic and Nova Southeastern. Columbia returns home Friday, March 26 for a 4 p.m. match against local rival Fordham.
Maryland 6, Columbia 1
Doubles
1. Lisa Miller/Maggie MacKeever (MD) def. Chelsea Davis/Natasha Makarova (CU) 8-1
2. Lexi Brand/Jordan Hansbrough (MD) def. Eliza Matache/Katarina Kovacevic (CU) 8-2
3. Burce Kurkan/Julia Huschke (MD) def. Natalia Christenson/Diana Shapoval (CU) 8-0
Order of finish: 1, 3, 2
Singles
1. Natasha Makarova (CU) def. Lisa Miller (MD), 7-5, 4-6, 11-9
2. Maggie MacKeever (MD) def. Chelsea Davis (CU), 6-3, 6-2
3. Julia Huschke (MD) def. Eliza Matache (CU) 6-4, 6-4
4. Jordan Hansbrough (MD) def. Katarina Kovacevic (CU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Burce Kurkan (MD) def. Diana Shapoval (CU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Lexi Brand (MD) def. Natalia Christenson (CU) 6-1, 6-0
Order of finish: 6, 4, 5, 1, 3, 2
