Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Hofstra
Drexel Tennis Opens CAA Play at Hofstra This Weekend
3/4/2011 6:40:54 PM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
Philadelphia - Coming off a weekend of victories at the Drexel Armory, the Dragons' men's and women's tennis teams will play their first CAA match of the season at Hofstra this Saturday. The first serves are scheduled to hit the court at 2:00 p.m. in Hempstead, N.Y. at Hofstra's indoor facility.
The Drexel men (3-3) defeated Coppin State last weekend and are looking to continue their strong play against a Hofstra opponent whom they topped 6-0 last season. Nikoloz Kurdadze is 11-4 on the season and 5-1 in dual matches. Kuradze and his doubles partner Manu Bajpai will be back together for the first time this fall as Bajpai returns from an injury. The duo was a Third Team All-CAA selection last season.
Hofstra men's tennis is 2-3 on the season and the Pride is coming off a pair of losses against George Mason and Army. Matthew Gemmell is one of Hofstra's top players this season. He has a 5-3 record overall and a 3-2 record in dual matches, including a perfect 2-0 mark at third singles. Gemmell and partner Adrian Bailey are an unblemished 4-0 in doubles play.
The Drexel women (3-5) bested Delaware State and Coppin State last weekend at the Armory. The Dragons took down Hofstra last year 6-0 while going 2-3 in CAA play on the season. Rookie Zeynep Mafa is playing some of her best tennis of the year coming into the weekend. She is 8-5 on the season overall and has been playing excellent doubles tennis with her partner Sonja Stosic.
Hofstra's women's team is 4-1 on the season with a win over George Mason (6-1) and a loss to UNC Wilmington (5-0) in CAA play. Elena Ivanova is the Pride's top singles player, with a 13-2 record overall and a 4-1 mark at first singles. Ivanova and her partner Brooke Sailer are 3-1 at first singles in dual match play.
