Fairfield University’s women’s tennis team achieved its first head-to-head win of the spring season, defeating Towson 4-2 on Friday at the Coppermine Racquet & Fitness Club in Baltimore.
The match began with Towson taking the No. 1 doubles match 6-2. Fairfield responded by winning at the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles positions. Victoria Mandma and Dylin Pizzutello secured a 6-4 victory over Aubrey Carper and Tamzin Pountney at No. 3 doubles, while Maria Gell and Anna Neyestani clinched the doubles point for Fairfield with a close 7-6 (5) win against Gaia Montecchi and Ashira Murray at No. 2.
In singles play, Towson’s Tamzin Pountney defeated Nicolette Loeffler 6-0, 6-3 at No. 4 singles to give Towson an early lead. Anna Neyestani evened the score for Fairfield by beating Boshoff 7-5, 6-2 at No. 3 singles. Ashira Murray put Towson back ahead with a win over Lily Malinowski, but Mandma leveled things again for Fairfield with a straight-set victory over Tambe at No. 1 singles.
Sophia Harris sealed the overall win for Fairfield in a lengthy tiebreaker, overcoming Montecchi with scores of 4-6, 6-4, and a deciding tiebreak of 14-12 at No. 2 singles.
“That was unbelievable resilience from the whole team,” said Head Coach Jeff Bricker. “In a match where every point mattered, Victoria and Sophia had clutch performances in singles, and Anna and Maria were equally clutch in doubles. A great team win!”
The contest between Maeve Cassidy and Carper at No. 6 singles was left unfinished with the score tied at five games each in the first set.
Fairfield will next face Bryant on Saturday, February 21, at Rally Point Racquet Club in Greenville, Rhode Island.
