March 15, 2008

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette women's tennis team got a singles win from freshman Rachael Hush and solid play from seniors Erin Watkins and Shannon Brown, but No. 29 Michigan defeated the Golden Eagles, 6-1, Saturday afternoon at Helfaer Tennis Stadium. With the loss, the Golden Eagles drop to 6-9 on the season.

"I thought Erin, Shannon and Rachael competed very well today," said head coach Jody Bronson. "We did okay in doubles against very good teams, but in singles those three really picked it up and played with a lot of heart. Overall I am happy with how we are able to compete against top competition."

Michigan started out strong in doubles play and never looked back. The Wolverines took all of three wins to clinch the first point of the afternoon.

In singles action Michigan won three straight at Nos. 2, 4, and 5 to take the match.

Hush captured MU's lone win of the day at No. 3 over Tania Mahtani. Hush rallied after losing her second set, 6-2, to win the tie-breaker and the match, 6-2, 2-6, 10-3.

Watkins put forth a good effort but dropped at the top singles slot, 6-2, 6-3, to Chisako Sugiyama. Brown nearly defeated Lindsey Howard at No. 6, but fell short in back-to-back tie breakers, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5).

The Golden Eagles will begin a five-match road trip to close out the month of March against Arizona State on March 18.

No. 29 Michigan 6, Marquette 1

Singles
1. Chisako Sugiyama (MICH) def. Erin Watkins (MARQ), 6-2, 6-3
2. Whitney Taney (MICH) def. Maria Calbeto (MARQ), 6-0, 6-1
3. Rachael Hush (MARQ) def. Tania Mahtani (MICH), 6-2, 2-6 (10-3)
4. Denise Muresan (MICH) def. Maggie Wilson (MARQ), 6-0, 6-0
5. Rika Tatsuno (MICH) def. Elly Strother (MARQ), 6-0, 6-1
6. Lindsey Howard (MICH) def. Shannon Brown (MARQ), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5)

Doubles
1. Sugiyama/Mahtani (MICH) def. Calbeto/ Brown (MARQ), 8-3
2. Taney/Muresan (MICH) def. Hush/ Watkins (MARQ), 8-4
3. Shafner/Howard (MICH) def. Wilson/ Strother (MARQ), 8-3