Women's Tennis Defeats Rider, 5-2, For Second Straight Victory

ctured Above: The 2019-20 Wagner women's team Lawrenceville, NJ – The Wagner College women's tennis team earned a 5-2 victory on the road on Wednesday afternoon at Rider. The Seahawks improve to 2-0 on the fall season while the Broncs fall to 1-3. "I am proud of the way the girls responded this afternoon after doubles didn't go our way," commented first-year head coach, Lynn Kiro. "Kudos to Rider, as they came out, ready to compete with their five players. Our girls were up to the task and now we are looking forward to our first home match in two weeks." Rider jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the match after taking a pair of wins in doubles. Senior Vedika Anand and sophomore Samantha Lugtu were edged by the pairing of Cyd Melendez and Angelica Garcia, 7-5 at No. 1. Sophomore Diana Pinzariu and junior Fidan Khalilzade dropped a 6-2 decision at No. 2 to Amanda Binder and Sarah Cheverie. The Seahawk duo of Alegra d'Alessandro and newcomer Mia Groetsch were victorious via default at No. 3 doubles. Wagner secured five of the six singles matches in picking up its second victory over the fall. At No. 1, Anand bested Melendez, 6-2; 7-5 that evened the match at 1-1. For the veteran Seahawk, she earned her 22nd career singles victory, moving one win shy of tying former doubles teammate, Samantha Hodges for fifth on Wagner's all-time career singles wins list. The Seahawks took its first lead, 2-1, as Lugtu defeated Garcia 6-3; 6-2 at No. 2 action. Khalilzade was pitted against Cheverie at No. 3. After dropping the first set, 5-7, the Baku, Azerbaijan native rattled of a 6-1 triumph in the second set to force a third and deciding set. Both competitors gave it their all as Khalilzade was able to hold off Cheverie, 10-8. Pinzariu got past Sydney Jeffrey, 6-1; 6-0 at No. 5 while Groetsch won by default at No. 6. The Broncs lone victory in singles action came at No. 4 as Binder narrowly got past d'Alessandro, 6-3; 7-5. Wagner will be back in action on Sunday, October 13 as they will play its first home match of the season, welcoming Northeast Conference (NEC) rival, St. Francis Brooklyn, to the Wagner Tennis Courts for a 12:00 p.m. match.