Wexford, Pa. – The Duquesne University women's tennis team dropped a 4-3 decision to Niagara on Friday evening inside the Oxford Athletic Club while celebrating Senior Day. With the loss, the Dukes dropped to 3-6 overall this season.

After falling behind by surrendering the doubles point, the Dukes showed resilience throughout singles play. The duo of Jasa Roka and D. Arinez Guilarte provided a spark at third doubles with a convincing 6-2 victory over Julia Clarke-Louis and Isabel Garcia, but Niagara claimed wins at the top two spots to take the early 1-0 lead.

Duquesne responded with strong performances in singles. Sophomore Naomi Lalonde earned a gritty 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-2 win at No. 2 over Gabriela Melo, while senior Jasa Roka added another point for the Dukes with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 triumph at the five slot over Valeria Mora. Senior Taisia Yakunina also battled back after dropping her first set to secure a 3-6, 6-2, 3-0 (ret.) victory at No. 6.

The remaining courts featured tightly contested three-set battles. Junior Mila Badics pushed Niagara's Isabel Garcia to the limit at the top spot before falling 7-6 (7-6), 4-6, 6-1. Senior Alexandra O'Brien split the first two sets at No. 3 but was edged 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. The decisive point came at No. 4, where freshman Denisse Arinez Guilarte fought back from a set down before narrowly dropping a 3-6, 7-6 (7-6), 10-8 heartbreaker in a third-set super tiebreak.

UP NEXT
Duquesne returns to action when it travels to Youngstown State on Saturday, Feb. 21, for a non-conference match beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Singles Competition
1. Isabel Garcia (NU) def. Mila Badics (DUQW) 7-6 (7-6), 4-6, 6-1
2. Naomi Lalonde (DUQW) def. Gabriela Melo (NU) 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-2
3. Larisa Kotok (NU) def. Alexandra O'Brien (DUQW) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
4. Salonia Tamang (NU) def. D. Arinez Guilarte (DUQW) 3-6, 7-6 (7-6), 10-8
5. Jasa Roka (DUQW) def. Valeria Mora (NU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
6. Taisia Yakunina (DUQW) def. Julia Clarke-Louis (NU) 3-6, 6-2, 3-0, retired

Doubles Competition
1. Gabriela Melo/Larisa Kotok (NU) def. Mila Badics/Naomi Lalonde (DUQW) 6-4
2. Valeria Mora/Salonia Tamang (NU) def. Alexandra O'Brien/Taisia Yakunina (DUQW) 7-5
3. Jasa Roka/D. Arinez Guilarte (DUQW) def. Julia Clarke-Louis/Isabel Garcia (NU) 6-2