April 13, 2014
RALEIGH, N.C. — The University of Notre Dame women’s tennis team defeated another ACC opponent this afternoon as they took down North Carolina State, 6-1. The Irish are now 14-8 on the season.
“We played well today against a very inspired and feisty Wolfpack team and crowd,” said head coach Jay Louderback. “I feel like we are continuing to gain confidence in our doubles. Julie Vrabel and Mary Closs finished their singles matches quickly to give us a 3-0, which took a lot of pressure off the rest of our singles.”
Seniors Julie Sabacinski and Jennifer Kellner defeated Liza Fieldsend and Rachael James-Baker, 8-4 in the No. 2 spot. Sophomore Quinn Gleason and senior Britney Sanders were off the court soon after, clinching the point for the Irish with their victory over Joelle Kissell and Sophie Nelson, 8-5.
As Louderback said, freshman Mary Closs quickly defeated Christy Sipes, 6-1, 6-1 and sophomore Julia Vrabel took down Sophie Nelson, 6-1, 6-3, putting the Irish up 3-0.
Freshman Monica Robinson sealed the match for Notre Dame at No. 4 singles with her 6-4, 6-4 win over Elisha Hande. Sanders defeated Kissell 6-4, 7-5 at No. 1 and Kellner beat Nicole Martinez 7-6(5), 6-2 at No. 3. Only Gleason fell to a member of the Wolfpack, losing to James-Baker, 7-5, 6-4.
Notre Dame has its last match of the regular season next Saturday, April 19 against Syracuse. The match will begin at 1 p.m.
–Lauren Chval, Media Relations Assistant
–ND–