March 25, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The 17th-ranked University of Notre Dame women’s tennis team returned home in grand fashion, defeating BIG EAST foe Marquette, 7-0, Sunday at the Courtney Tennis Center. The Irish improved to 8-2 in home contests on the season and 13-5 overall.
Looking to claim their ninth-consecutive doubles point, the Irish turned to an unorthodox lineup. Senior Kristy Frilling (Sidney, Ohio) teamed with sophomore Julie Sabacinski (Plantation, Fla.) for the first time on the year, earning an 8-4 victory over Marquette’s Gillian Hush and Olga Fischer at the No. 1 court. Senior Shannon Mathews (Birmingham, Mich.) paired up with freshman Katherine White (Columbus, Ga.) at No. 2 doubles, claiming an 8-3 triumph over Ana Pimienta and Rocio Diaz.
The lone traditional doubles team saw junior Chrissie McGaffigan (Davenport, Iowa) and sophomore Jennifer Kellner (Smithtown, N.Y.) team at No. 3 to take on the Golden Eagles tandem of Ali Dawson and Kristina Radan. The Irish twosome pulled away for an 8-3 victory and has now won six straight dual matches.
Singles action saw the Irish make quick work of Marquette, posting straight-set victories on each of the six courts. Sabacinski finished first after taking care of Pimienta at No. 5 singles, 6-1, 6-1. The victory improves Sabacinski to 5-5 on the dual season and 2-0 at the No. 5 court. Frilling, ranked 84th, then closed out Hush at No. 2 singles (6-4, 6-1) to push the Irish within match point.
Mathews wasted little time securing the match victory, closing out Fischer at the No. 1 court, 6-2, 6-2. The remaining three matches saw Kellner defeat Diaz at No. 3 (6-1, 6-1), McGaffigan take down Dawson at No. 4 (6-2, 6-1) and White knock off Vanessa Foltinger at No. 6 (6-4, 6-3). The victory for White is the first singles dual victory for the freshman since Jan. 29, ending a five-match losing streak.
Notre Dame remains in-conference for its next match, welcoming DePaul to town Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. (ET) first serve.
Marquette vs Notre DameMar 25, 2012 at Notre Dame, Ind. (Courtney Tennis Center)#17 Notre Dame 7, Marquette 0
Singles competition1. #49 Shannon Mathews (ND) def. Olga Fischer (MU) 6-2, 6-22. #84 Kristy Frilling (ND) def. Gillian Hush (MU) 6-4, 6-13. Jennifer Kellner (ND) def. Rocio Diaz (MU) 6-1, 6-14. Chrissie McGaffigan (ND) def. Ali Dawson (MU) 6-2, 6-15. Julie Sabacinski (ND) def. Ana Pimienta (MU) 6-1, 6-16. Katherine White (ND) def. Vanessa Foltinger (MU) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles competition1. Kristy Frilling/Julie Sabacinski (ND) def. Gillian Hush/Olga Fischer (MU) 8-42. Shannon Mathews/Katherine White (ND) def. Ana Pimienta/Rocio Diaz (MU) 8-33. Jennifer Kellner/Chrissie McGaffigan (ND) def. Ali Dawson/Kristina Radan (MU) 8-3
Match Notes:Marquette 10-6Notre Dame 13-5; National ranking #17Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (5,2,1,4,3,6)A-94
–ND–