ROSS WINS, PALMER LOSES HEARTBREAKER

GREENSBORO, March 17, 2006 -- The N.C. A&T women’s tennis team fell to Liberty, 6-1, at the Aggie Tennis Complex. The Aggies are now 5-9 overall. 

Senior Tracy Ross had an outstanding day, defeating Martyna Hanusz at No. 4 singles, 6-4, 6-4, to snap a four match losing streak. “I hit all of my strokes today,” said Ross. “I was able to play well and stay focused during all the big points and it paid off. It feels great to win after losing so many matches in a row. My confidence grew as the match went, and I was able to put her away.”

Freshman Terika Palmer also had a great match against Livia Branco at No. 6 singles, winning the first set, 6-3. Branco won the second set 6-4 to force a tiebreaking third set. Palmer took an early 2-0 lead in the final set before falling 8-6. “Wow. That was a tough ending to a great match,” said Palmer. “I had an opportunity to win today, but I just lost focus in the tiebreaker. I know that I’m playing better and we’ll see what happens next time.”

 Jonita Randolph led the Flames, capturing a win at No. 1 singles over Christina Ruffin, 6-0, 6-2. Earlier in the day, Randolph teamed with Hanusz to win No. 1 doubles over Ruffin and Kathryn Jackson, 8-5. Dina Sekina fought off Jackson, 6-4, 6-3 to win at No. 2 singles. Sekina and Erica Fredstrom defeated Ross and Deanna Bailey 8-1 in No. 2 doubles to secure the doubles point.

“I’m very proud of the ladies today,” said coach James Dunwoody. “Tracy Ross came to play today. She attacked and hit her ground strokes with confidence, and so did [Terika] Palmer. If we keep our momentum, we have a chance to do well against [the MEAC].

The Aggies will travel to UNC Wilmington on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m.

Liberty 6, N.C. A&T 1

March 17, 2006 at Aggie Tennis Complex

Singles competition

1.  Jonita Randolph (LU) def. Christina Ruffin (NCAT) 6-2, 6-2

2.  Dina Sekina (LU) def. Kathryn Jackson (NCAT) 6-1, 6-2

3. Ekaterina Kuznetsova (LU) def. Deanna Bailey (NCAT) 6-4, 6-2

4.  Tracy Ross (NCAT) def. Martyna Hanusz (LU) 6-4, 6-4

5.  Erica Fredstrom (LU) def. Shannon Pittman (NCAT) 6-2, 6-2

6.  Livia Branco (LU) def. Terika Palmer (NCAT) 3-6, 6-4, 8-6     

Doubles competition

1. Jonita Randolph / Martyna Hanusz (LU) def. Christina Ruffin/Kathryn Jackson (NCAT), 8-5

2. Dina Sekina / Erica Fredstrom (LU) def. Tracy Ross/Deanna Bailey (NCAT), 8-1

3. Ekaterina Kuznetsova / Livia Branco (LU) def. Shannon Pittman/Terika Palmer (NCAT), 8-1