Women’s Tennis Suffers 9-0 Setback vs. Reigning ECC Champion, NYIT

OLD WESTBURY, NY – The University of the District of Columbia women's tennis team was defeated, 9-0 by the reigning East Coast Conference champion, NYIT on Friday afternoon.

The loss drops the Firebirds to 3-1 on the season overall and 2-1 in ECC play. The Bears, picked to repeat as ECC champions in the preseason poll, improved to 6-0 on the season overall and 5-0 in league play.

In doubles play, Sofia Leon and Alicia Gallard lost a tough third doubles match to Melanie Benyadi and Gabriela Siembab, 8-1. Senior Jessica Nunez and freshman Tamara Kenia then fell, 8-3 at the hands of Claudia Sanchez Gonzalez and Sara Burinato at first doubles, and junior Maxime Duijst and sophomore Peerada Looareesuwan lost to Madalina Florea and Celia Respaut, 8-2 at second doubles.

The Firebirds would also be swept in singles play but not without a fight in all six matches, particularly Duijst's No. 3 singles match. After losing the first set, 6-0, Duijst battled to win the second set 7-5 and force extended match play. She ultimately fell, 0-6, 7-5, 4-10.

UDC is back in action tomorrow at 11 a.m. vs. another ECC foe, LIU Post.