March 22, 2008

Northern Colorado's women's tennis team gave senior Karen Groll even more than a celebration on Senior Day.

The Bears also gave Groll a victory in her final home match, defeating Big Sky team Portland State 6-1 on Saturday, March 22, at Work Out West in Greeley.

Northern Colorado won the doubles point by winning the first two matches and then won five of the singles matches to improve to 4-10 overall and 1-4 in the Big Sky.

The Bears will continue Big Sky competition when they take on Sacramento State at 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 31, on the Butler-Hancock Tennis Courts.

Groll helped on her big day by teaming with Jodi Ciarvella for an 8-3 victory against the Vikings' Alyssa Ferry and Caitlin Stocking at No. 2 doubles.

Tabatha Knop and Manuela Santos earned the Bears' other doubles victory after defeating Portland State's No. 1 squad of Lacey Pflibson and Molly Knox, 8-5.

"Today, every position showed up to compete, and to compete hard," Northern Colorado coach Brenda Vlasak said. "I was proud of our team today becuase they really stepped up to the challenge and took care of business.

"Today was also Senior Day, and Karen Groll competed very well in both doubles and singles."

In singles play, Tabatha Knop (No. 1), Santos (No. 2), Tiffany Knop (No. 3), Luiza Xavier (No. 5) and Ciarvella (No. 6) were all victorious.

Northern Colorado 6, Portland State 1
Doubles
1. Tabatha Knop/Manuela Santos (UNC) def. Lacey Pflibson/Molly Knox, 8-5
2. Jodi Ciarvella/Karen Groll (UNC) def. Alyssa Ferry/Caitlin Stocking, 8-4
3. Stephanie Fuchs/Anya Dalkin (PSU) def. Hannah LaForest/Tiffany Knop 8-5

Singles
1. Tabatha Knop (UNC) def. Pflibson, 6-2, 6-3
2. Santos (UNC) def. Fuchs, 6-2, 6-3
3. Tiffany Knop (UNC) def. Knox, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
4. Dalkin (PSU) def. Groll, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
5. Luiza Xavier (UNC) def. Ferry, 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 10-3
6. Ciarvella (UNC) def. Stocking, 6-2, 6-3