OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Salisbury University women's tennis team extended its win streak to 11 matches with a three-match sweep over Goucher College, Frostburg State University, and Juniata College Saturday at the McDonogh School. The winning streak is the program's longest since an 11-match run during the 2008 season.
The Sea Gulls, ranked No. 8 in the Atlantic South Region, opened the day with an 8-1 victory over Goucher. In singles play, freshman Natalie Savage and senior Elaina Iosue picked up straight-set victories at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, with both dropping only a single game on their way to victory.
Sophomore Roxanne Alban recorded another strong effort, winning 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4, while sophomore Allison Lutz and junior Jessica Babyak picked up victories at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.
The maroon and gold swept the doubles matches from the Gophers (8-2) with Savage and senior Jillian Poppe defeating Ariel Lin and Meagan Lee 8-2 while Iosue and Alban dominated at No. 2, securing an 8-0 win. Babyak and sophomore Katie Youlios earned an 8-0 win at No. 3 doubles over Emily Ruff and Ryan Derham.
In the second match of the day, Salisbury earned a 7-2 victory over Capital Athletic Conference opponent Frostburg State for its 10th straight win. The Sea Gulls won two of three doubles matches with Youlios and Babyak earning a tough 8-5 victory at No. 1.
Lutz and senior Victoria Handlin dispatched the Bobcats No. 2 duo of Amber Beckman and Nicole Abshur 8-3.
In singles play, Savage, playing at No. 1, outlasted Megan Martin 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 for a hard-fought victory, while Youlios and Handlin picked up straight-set victories at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, with each earning a set at love.
Lutz won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 4 and sophomore Sam Babo earned a come-from-behind, three-set victory at No. 5, 4-6, 6-2, 10-5 in the third set super tie-breaker.
With the win over the Bobcats (2-7, 0-2 CAC), the Sea Gulls improved their conference record to 2-1.
In the nightcap, Salisbury won its third match of the day with a 9-0 non-conference victory over Juniata (8-3). Iosue, playing for the first time all season at No.1 singles, gained a 6-1, 6-0 win over Heather Waring.
Alban notched a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 2, while Youlios and Handlin gathered straight-set victories at Nos. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
Lutz dropped only four games on her way to a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 5, while junior Charlotte Urian earned her first victory of the season with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 6.
The Gulls (11-2, 2-1 CAC) again swept the three doubles matches with both the No. 1 pair of Savage and Alban and the No. 2 duo of Iosue and Youlios earning 8-0 victories. The No. 3 pair of Babyak and Handlin won comfortably, 8-2, at No. 3.
The Sea Gulls will try to keep the momentum strong when they return to the court Wednesday, April 3 against nonconference foe Elizabethtown College. The match is slated to begin at 3:45 p.m. in Baltimore.
