Firebirds Women’s Tennis Falls 6-3 at Chestnut Hill in Regular Season Finale

PHILADELPHIA – The University of the District of Columbia women's tennis team was defeated, 6-3 by Chestnut Hill College in non-conference action between two regionally ranked teams on Thursday afternoon at CHC Tennis Courts.

The Firebirds, ranked No. 7 in the East Region, fell to 8-8 overall with the loss while Chestnut Hill (No. 4 in the region) improved to 18-9.

Junior Alicia Gallard (Business Management – Blaison-Goheir, France/Shorter University) had an outstanding day for UDC, first teaming up with senior Sofia Leon (Psychology – Quito, Ecuador/Pensianado Universitario) for a hard-fought, 8-5 victory over Morgan Oechsle and Hayley Craskey, and then pulling away from Axe Owens at No. 6 singles with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory.

Sophomore Peerada Looareesuwan (Computer Science – Bangkok, Thailand/Valdosta State University) also won her singles match at No. 3, battling Kelly Dennis to a 6-2, 7-6 (6-4) victory. Looareesuwan and junior Maxime Duijst (Biology – Valkenswaard, Netherlands/Pleincollege Sint-Joris) lost a tough No. 2 doubles match vs. Dennis and Iman Williams-Mulesa, 8-4 earlier in the day.

Senior Jessica Nunez (Electrical Engineering – Guayaquil, Ecuador/American School of Guayaquil) and freshman Tamara Kenia (Studio Art – Donetsk, Ukraine/Academy of Art University) played a very competitive doubles match, but fell to Charlotte Dawson and Marie Deleval, 8-5. Nunez would have to retire due to a sprained ankle, trailing 5-2 in her No.1  singles match to Dawson. Kenia fell to Williams-Mulesa, 6-1, 6-4 at No. 2.

Duijst was very close to earning the Firebirds their third singles victory of the day, but she was outlasted by Deleval in a marathon match that went to a super tie-breaker, 7-5, 1-6, 10-8.

This concludes the regular season for UDC women's tennis. The Firebirds will await word on if they will receive an at-large bid in the NCAA East Regional Tournament.