Kelcy Tefft has an impressive 8-0 record in singles dual-match action this season.

No. 14 Irish Earn Home Win Over No. 47 Ohio State

Feb. 14, 2008

Complete Results

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – It was all love for the Irish on Valentine’s Day as the No. 14 Notre Dame women’s tennis team earned a big win over No. 47 Ohio State Friday afternoon at the Eck Tennis Pavilion, taking the victory 5-2. The Irish improved their season dual record to 4-4 in only their second home match of the season.

The Irish cruised through the doubles action, earning the point with just two matches down. Brook Buck and Kelcy Tefft earned the first point, defeating Angela DiPastina and Christina Keesey, 8-2. The duo of Cosmina Ciobanu and Colleen Rielley secured the doubles point for the Irish, earning the next win over Paloma Escobedo and Caitlin O’Keefe of the Buckeyes. Ciobanu and Rielley also earned the win with ease, defeating the Buckeye pair, 8-3.

Rounding out the doubles sweep was a win from the Notre Dame pair of Kali Krisik and Kristen Rafael. The two got out to a quick 6-2 lead over Julie Blackmore and Cami Hubbs of Ohio State, only for the Buckeye duo to rally back. It would not be enough though as Krisik and Rafael would maintain the lead and take the match, 8-6.

The Irish would open up the singles action with three wins to secure the Notre Dame team victory early on. Krisik earned the first win in the No. 6 spot, taking O’Keefe 6-1, 6-3 in the quick point. Not far behind Krisik was teammate Katie Potts taking the win in the No. 5 spot. Potts took control of the match early on and never looked back as she earned the victory, 6-1, 6-1.

Tefft took the No. 1 spot for the Irish this afternoon for the first time this season and success was up her alley. She defeated DiPastina, 6-4, 6-2, to put the Irish up 4-0 and clinch the Notre Dame win. Tefft improved her record to an impressive 8-0 record in dual action this season.

Buck was on pace to defeat Escobedo until injury hampered her play. She took the first set with command, 6-3, and had a 2-0 lead in the second set. With the Irish victory already intact, Buck retired, giving Escobedo the Ohio State point.

Ciobanu rallied in the final Irish point, persevering and coming back to win her match. She took the first set 6-0, dominating Keesey of Ohio State. Keesey came back to take the second set, 6-3, but it was not enough. Ciobanu would go on to cruise through the final set, winning 6-2.

The final point would go to the Buckeyes as Blackmore defeated Rielley in the No. 4 spot. The first set went 7-5 to Blackmore and the final came a bit easier for the Buckeye as she won 7-5, 6-2.

The Irish will be at home again tomorrow afternoon against Wisconsin with first serve set for 3 p.m. They wrap up the weekend competition on Sunday against South Florida, again at the Eck Tennis Pavilion with action to start at 10 a.m.

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