Tigers defeat NC Central but fall to Elon

By: Billy Owens, Staff Writer 

Towson split its first two matches of the spring campaign as the team swept North Carolina Central (7-0) Sunday but fell to conference rival Elon Saturday (6-1).

Sunday proved to be a success for Towson in its first-ever matchup against North Carolina Central. Towson conceded only one set during the entire afternoon.   

“They were much sharper today,” Interim Head Coach Jamie Peterson said. “They played a high quality team.”

Towson won the opening doubles point as the No. 1 team of A.J. Gomer and Renate van Oorschodt defeated Frida Cnossen and Jamie Rogers 6-2.

The No. 2 team of Nicole Shakhnazarova and Yevgeniya Shusterman bested Jasmine Gabriel and Lynsey Cover 6-4, while the No. 3 team of Barbora Vasilkova and Lucy Gloninger won against Emily Pena and Tamara Jeremic 6-1 to complete the clean doubles sweep.

The Tigers continued their winning ways in singles play, taking all six matches to earn the shutout win. No. 1 Shakhnazarova took out Cnossen 6-1, 6-2 while No. 2 Gomer battled for a tough win against Rogers 7-5, 6-7 (2), [10-7].

No. 3 Lucy Williams defeated Gabriel 6-0, 6-2, while No. 4 Vasilkova beat Cover 6-4, 6-2. No. 5-ranked Sophie Lesage defeated Jeremic 6-0, 6-2, and No. 6 Gloninger defeated Pena 6-0, 6-2.

“We pretty much came in there and handled it without issue,” Peterson said. “It was the first time we played them.”

Saturday, Towson took on conference rival Elon for a pair of matches to open up its season. Towson started with a strong effort to secure the opening doubles point over Elon.

“We took it to them in the doubles point,” Peterson said. “It was the first time we’ve ever got a point on Elon.”

The No. 1 doubles pair of Gomer and van Oorschodt defeated Maria Paraja and Alex Koniaev 6-2, while the No. 2 pair of Williams and Vasilkova took out Olivia Lucas and Erica Braschi 7-5.

The No. 3 doubles matchup went to Elon, with Suzanne Zenoni and Kristen Ward defeating Lesage and Gloninger 6-0.

In singles, Towson could not carry the momentum from its doubles point victory as Elon took the six singles points to claim victory. Braschi defeated No. 1 Shakhnazarova 6-3, 6-4, Zenoni won against No. 2 Gomer 6-0, 6-2, and Lucas defeated No. 3 Williams 6-3, 6-2.

Paraja took out No. 4 Vasilkova 6-1, 6-3, Koniaev defeated No. 5 Jane Shusterman 6-3, 6-4, and Sofia Edo earned a close comeback win over No. 6 van Oorschodt in a third-set match tiebreaker 4-6, 6-3, [10-7].

Towson currently sits at 2-1 after the weekend’s matches, having begun dual match play back in October with a win over Mount St. Mary’s.

The Tigers have three upcoming matches next weekend, starting at George Washington Friday at 1 p.m. and at George Mason Saturday at 5 p.m. before returning home to host Villanova Sunday at 1 p.m.

“We have a chance to win all three matches,” Peterson said.

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