April 22, 2007

Day Three Results

Championship Bracket

MONROEVILLE, PA - On the strength of straight-set wins by Pamela Duran, Beatrice Grasu and Jessica Hubbard, Richmond claimed its fourth consecutive Atlantic 10 Women's Tennis Championship with a 4-0 victory over top-seeded Temple on Sunday at Club 4 Life in Monroeville, PA.

The second-seeded Spiders earned their fifth A-10 title in the last six years and became the first program to win four straight Championships since Virginia Tech accomplished the feat from 1996-00. Richmond earns the league's NCAA automatic bid and will play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on May 11.

Richmond jumped out to a 1-0 lead as seniors Beatrice Grasu and Robin Carter were victorious (8-4) at first doubles before Hubbard and sophomore Xenia Schneider secured the point with a thrilling 8-6 win at the No. 3 flight over Temple's Anastasia Rukavyshnykova and Sharanya Pattabi.

Duran registered the Spiders' second point with a 6-2, 6-3 win versus senior Yuri Kurashima at No. 1 singles. Grasu enjoyed an impressive 7-5, 6-0 victory over TU freshman Radca Ferancova before Hubbard clinched the title with a 6-4, 6-1 defeat of Felicia Frazier.

"The way Robin [Carter] and Beatrice played at first doubles really set the tone for the afternoon," said Richmond head coach Mark Wesselink.

"Those two players, along with senior Jessica Hubbard, delivered outstanding performances for us. Their senior leadership and contributions to Richmond tennis go far beyond their play on the court."

Playing in its first title match since 2003, Temple was vying for its fourth A-10 title in program history and first since 2003.

"I would like to congratulate Temple on a great season," said Wesselink, a four-time A-10 Coach of the Year recipient.

"They played us really tough today and have a very talented team. We will enjoy this title on our trip home while keeping our friends at Virginia Tech in our thoughts and prayers."

Also on Sunday, freshman Ana Spivakowsky improved to 4-0 in the Championship with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Michele Spiess at first singles as third-seeded Charlotte downed No. 4 Massachusetts, 4-0, in the third-place match. Ali Piacante and Koren Fleming also recorded straight-set victories for the 49ers.

Senior Alicia McNamara's 6-3, 6-2 win over Alicia Papa at No. 6 singles proved to be the difference as Duquesne edged Xavier, 4-3, in the fifth-place match. It marked the Dukes' first win over Xavier in program history and secured their highest finish at the A-10 Championship since placing fifth in 2002.

Eighth-seeded George Washington claimed ninth place with a 4-1 win over No. 11 Fordham despite Rams' sophomore Dominique Liguori's third victory of the Championship at No. 1 singles. Tracy Stecko and Rachael Honig earned straight-set wins for the Colonials.