TCU Keeps It Rolling Against Wolfpack, 6-1

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (February 21, 2008) The TCU women’s tennis team dominated No. 62 North Carolina State, 6-1, at the indoor complex of the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center Saturday. The Frogs move to 4-2 for the year, while the Wolfpack drop to 1-7.

“I’m proud of our performance today,” TCU head coach Jefferson Hammond said. “We came prepared to do a nice job and we looked good. Tomorrow we’ve got to be mentally tough and come out with a lot of fight and we will give ourselves a chance to win against Miami.”

TCU jumped out to an early lead after sweeping through doubles play. Sophomore Katariina Tuohimaa and freshman Kayla Duncan picked up the first victory, taking down the duo of Diana Mortlock and Neils Barringer, 8-1. Sophomore Maria Babanova and newcomer Gaby Mastromarino clinched the point with an 8-2 decision over the Wolfpack’s tandem of Pender Sessoms and Jackie Ussery.

In the third win, senior Macall Harkins and junior Nina Munch-Soegaard teamed up for the first time this season to defeat N.C. State’s top duo of Lenka Hojckova and Berkeley Brock, 8-6.

In singles action, sophomore Idunn Hertzberg and Babanova jumped on their opposition in the Nos. 5 and 6 positions, both gliding by with 6-0, 6-0 sweeps. It was Babanova’s first singles match for the season, while Hertzberg advanced to 2-1 for the year.

Duncan followed with the match-clinching point for the Frogs. The Winston-Salem, N.C., product rolled through the first set, 6-2, but would struggle in the middle frame to fall, 6-1. However, the Tar Heel State native rebounded and slammed the door shut on her home state school, putting the final set to rest, 6-2.

Harkins, ranked 85th in the country, also enjoyed a three-set win Saturday, taking down No. 123 Lenka Hojckova from the No. 1 spot, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. The win is Harkins’ third of the season and 70th as a Horned Frog in singles play. Tuohiima represented the Purple and White with a victory from the No. 2 position, defeating Berkeley Brock in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6.

TCU will be back on the court Sunday, hosting No. 10 Miami at 11 a.m. at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center. Live results and recaps can be found at GoFrogs.com.

No. 21 TCU 6, No. 62 North Carolina State 1


SINGLES
1. No. 85 Macall Harkins (TCU) def. No. 123 Lenka Hojckova (NCST) 6-2, 1-6, 6-3
2. Katariina Tuohimaa (TCU) def. Berkeley Brock (NCST) 6-3, 7-6
3. Kayla Duncan (TCU) def. Neils Barringer (NCST) 6-2, 1-6, 6-2
4. Diana Mortlock (NCST) def. Gaby Mastromarino (TCU) 6-4, 6-2
5. Idunn Hertzberg (TCU) def. Pender Sessoms (NCST) 6-0, 6-0
6. Maria Babanova (TCU) def. Jackie Ussery (NCST) 6-0, 6-0
Order of Finish: (5,6,3*,2,1,4)

DOUBLES
1. Harkins/Munch-Soegaard (TCU) def. #33 Brock/Hojckova (NCST) 8-6
2. Duncan/Tuohimaa (TCU) def. Mortlock/Barringer (NCST) 8-1
3. Mastromarino/Babanova (TCU) def. Sessoms/Ussery (NCST) 8-2
Order of Finish: (2,3*,1)