Orlando, Fla. – The ninth-seeded Duquesne women's tennis team opened play at the Atlantic 10 Championships on Wednesday evening, falling in a tightly contested 4-2 decision to eighth-seeded Dayton in the opening round at the USTA National Campus. With the loss, the Dukes conclude their campaign with a 7-11 record.
Duquesne came out strong in doubles, securing the crucial opening point. The pairing of
Mila Badics and
Naomi Lalonde set the tone with a convincing 6-2 win at No. 1, while
Alexandra O'Brien and
Taisia Yakunina followed with a 6-3 victory at No. 2 to clinch the point before the third match could be completed. That early momentum gave the Dukes a 1-0 lead heading into singles.
In singles play, the Dukes showed resilience but couldn't quite close out enough matches. O'Brien delivered the highlight of the day for the Dukes, earning a dominant 7-5, 6-1 win at No. 3 to account for the team's second point. Badics also battled back after dropping her first set to force a third at No. 1, showing grit even in defeat.
Several matches proved tightly contested.
Jasa Roka pushed her opponent to back-to-back tiebreaks at No. 4 but came up just short in both, while
Naomi Lalonde fought through a competitive second set at No. 2. Despite the effort, Dayton managed to take four singles courts to secure the team victory.
Singles Competition
1. Natalie Osiecki (UD) def.
Mila Badics (DUQW) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
2. Kristen Chin (UD) def.
Naomi Lalonde (DUQW) 6-4, 7-5
3.
Alexandra O'Brien (DUQW) def. Montserrat Sierra (UD) 7-5, 6-1
4. Baby Jordan (UD) def.
Jasa Roka (DUQW) 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2)
5. Mallory Hitchcock (UD) vs. D. Arinez Guilarte (DUQW) 2-6, 6-4, 4-4, unfinished
6. Haley Klein (UD) def.
Taisia Yakunina (DUQW) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles Competition
1.
Mila Badics/
Naomi Lalonde (DUQW) def. Natalie Osiecki/Montserrat Sierra (UD) 6-2
2.
Alexandra O'Brien/
Taisia Yakunina (DUQW) def. Baby Jordan/Mallory Hitchcock (UD) 6-3
3. Kristen Chin/Haley Klein (UD) vs.
Jasa Roka/D. Arinez Guilarte (DUQW) 3-3, unfinished
