Drexel University
Delaware State
Unkaya's Come-From-Behind Win at Second Singles Nets Third Straight Victory For Dragons
10/7/2008 6:13:58 PM | Women's Tennis
Philadelphia - Drexel women's tennis improved to 3-0 on the season with a tight 4-3 victory over the previously undefeated Delaware State (6-1). Necomer Gozde Unkaya battled back from a 5-2 deficit in her first set against Yaroslava Balakhonova to win 7-6 (5), 6-0 at second singles to clinch the team victory for Drexel. The Dragons also won at first and third singles and swept doubles play to earn the firs team point.
In a gutty performance, Unkaya fought back after falling behind 5-2 in her opening set at second singles. After knotting the set at 6-6 Unkaya again fell behind in the tiebreaker 5-0. But the transfer sophomore won seven straight points to take the tiebreaker and the set from her Delaware State counterpart. She then cruised to a 6-0 victory in the second set to close out the match and give Drexel the decisive team point.
Zineb Hilali dominated Christina Andrade in a straight-set victory at first singles, 6-2, 6-1 to improve her record at the top singles spot to 2-1 on the season. Hilali and Unkaya teamed up to give Drexel a win at first singles with an 8-1 romp over Andrade and Balakhonova.
Anahita Jagtiani won her match at third singles 6-3, 6-2 over Polina Razborova to improve to 2-0 as a Dragon. Jagtiani and teammate Elise Leizerovich also won at third doubles, 8-3, over Hannah Adewumi and Julieta Yung.
Emily and Mellissa Lewis kept their doubles record perfect at 3-0 with an 8-5 victory over Anna Kovtun and Razborova at second doubles.
The Dragons travel to participate in the Sergio Tacchini Collegiate Invitational hosted by Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. this weekend before returning home to host St. Francis on Oct. 15.
Match Results
Drexel 4, Delaware State 3
Singles
1. Zineb Hilali (Drexel) def. Christina Andrade (DSU) 6-0, 6-2
2. Gozde Unkaya (Drexel) def. Yaroslava Balakahova (DSU) 7-6 (5), 6-0
3. Anahita Jagtiania (Drexel) def. Polina Razborova (DSU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Anna Kouten (DSU) def. Emily Lewis (Drexel) 6-3, 6-3
5. Hannah Adewumi (DSU) def. Mellissa Lewis (Drexel) 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (8)
6. Cassandra Newton (DSU) def. Melissa Bohm (Drexel) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
1. Hilali/Unkaya (Drexel) def. Andrade/Balakhonova (DSU) 8-1
2. Lewis/Lewis (Drexel) def. Kovtun/Razborova (DSU) 8-5
3. Leizerovich/Jagtiani (Drexel) def. Adewumi/Yung (DSU) 8-3
