Irish Storm Back to Knock Off Maryland

NEW YORK, N.Y. – After falling into a two-point deficit, the Notre Dame women’s tennis team stormed back Saturday morning in New York, defeating Maryland 4-3 in a neutral site match held at Columbia University. The Irish are now a perfect 6-0 on the season. 

Despite a 7-6 (4) win by Carrie Beckman/Akari Matsuno at No. 1 doubles to lead off the match, the Terrapins edged out tight battles at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles in to take an early lead.

After a win at No. 1 singles by Maryland, the Terrapins jumped out to a 2-0 lead, only needing to win two of the final five courts to claim victory. 

The Irish fought however. Rylie Hanford won in straight sets at No. 6 singles 6-2, 6-2 to put Notre Dame on the board. Nibi Ghosh tied the match at two apiece with a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 4 singles.

Matsuno, who’s ranked #67 in the ITA singles rankings, downed Danielle Hack 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 singles to give Notre Dame three straight wins.

After Maryland won at No. 5 singles in three sets to tie the match up, it came down to Beckman at No. 2 singles. After dropping the first set 3-6, the senior flipped a switch, winning the next two sets in dominant fashion 6-1, 6-1 to clinch Notre Dame’s sixth straight victory to open the season. 

The Irish will look to continue the early season momentum tomorrow morning when they face Columbia at 10:30 a.m. in the first true road match for Notre Dame this season. 

Notre Dame 4, Maryland 3

Singles:

1. #88 Kallista Liu (UMD) def. Bojana Pozder (ND) 6-1, 6-1
2. Carrie Beckman (ND) def. Ema Kovacevic (UMD) 1-6, 6-1, 6-1
3. #67 Akari Matsuno (ND) def. Danielle Hack (UMD) 6-3, 6-3
4. Nibi Ghosh (ND) def. Oliwia Orlinska (UMD) 6-3, 6-0
5. Tamari Gagoshidze (UMD) def. Bianca Molnar (ND) 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
6. Rylie Hanford (ND) def. Diya Challa (UMD) 6-2, 6-2

Order of finish: (1,6,4,3,5,2)

Doubles:

1. Carrie Beckman/Akari Matsuno (ND) def. Kallista Liu/Ema Kovacevic (UMD) 7-6 (4)
2. Danielle Hack/Diya Challa (UMD) def. Nibi Ghosh/Rylie Hanford (ND) 7-5
3. Tamari Gagoshidze/Oliwia Orlinska (UMD) def. Bojana Pozder/Maria Olivia Castedo (ND) 7-6 (5)

Order of finish: (1,2,3)