March 7, 2008
Honolulu, Hawaii- – Notre Dame made quick work of the University of Hawaii on Friday evening at the UH Tennis Complex. In their first match since a 5-2 setback to No. 2 Georgia Tech, the Irish rebounded well with a 7-0 decision against Hawaii, improving their overall record to 8-7.
Notre Dame got off to a very quick start by winning all three doubles matches. On court one, the No. 1 ranked doubles team of Brook Buck and Kelcy Tefft got the Irish rolling with an 8-3 victory over Sophie Kobuch and Chloe Bihag. The win was the eighth consecutive victory for Buck and Tefft, and improves their season record to 23-4. This victory also marks the first win for the duo in their careers as the No. 1 team in the nation.
The Irish would go on to win convincingly in the other two doubles matches as well. On court two, Cosmina Ciobanu and Colleen Rielley won decisively over Julia Sandborn and Marie Tanaka, 8-1, clinching the doubles point for the Irish. Finishing closely behind that match, the team of Kali Krisik and Kristen Rafael defeated Jennifer Goldman and Natasha Zorec, 8-4, to complete the sweep.
Notre Dame would continue to play well through singles, as all six matches were taken in straight sets. The first point would go to Tefft, ranked No. 39 in singles, as she defeated Kobuch, 6-3, 6-1, on court one.
Buck would continue the dominance as she defeated Bihag without dropping a game, 6-0, 6-0. Closing out quickly behind that match, Ciobanu clinched the victory for the Irish in impressive fashion. She defeated Sandbor 6-1,6-0 on No. 3 singles.
At No. 5 singles, Krisik wrapped up the next point for the Irish. She defeated Tanaka 6-1, 6-1. The match marked only the third time that Krisik played at the No. 5 spot on the season (2-1). Rafael finished closely behind, with an impressive 6-1, 6-2 victory on court six over Goldman.
Rielley wrapped up the match, ensuring the Notre Dame shutout, as she defeated Zorec 6-4, 6-4 in the closest matchup of the evening. The win puts Rielley back at .500 (5-5) at No. 4 singles on the season.
The Irish women will return home on Wednesday for a matchup with No. 65 Illinois. First serve is scheduled for 3:30 in the Eck Tennis Pavilion.
-ND-