BALTIMORE, Md. – The Towson University women's tennis team earned five singles victories in straight sets to earn its first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) match on Friday night against Hofstra. Towson (8-6, 1-2 CAA) defeated Hofstra (4-1, 0-1 CAA) by a perfect 7-0 score at the Bare Hills Racquet and Fitness Club.
 
"It was nice for our ladies to get a conference win," Head Coach Doug Neagle said. "They all came together as a team to get this win. Nicole and Sophie had close battles at the No. 1 and 2 spots but persevered after a tough UNCW loss. Our doubles play was strong across the board. It was a great way to start our spring trip."
 
The Tigers had victories in all three doubles matches to earn the doubles point against the Pride. The freshmen duo of Lucy Williams and Nicole Shakhnazarova defeated Hofstra's Sarah Bowen and Carmen Pestano by a score of 8-3. Freshmen A.J. Gomer and Renate van Oorschodt partnered for the Tigers win over the Pride's Louise Lopez and Bianca Derrick (8-3). The final Towson doubles win came from senior Cailey Easdale and freshman Barbora Vasilkova. The duo defeated Hofstra's Giulia Leone and Bianca Posa by a final score of 8-0.
 
In singles play, five Tigers earned wins in straight sets while Shakhnazarova had the toughest fight, winning in a third set tiebreaker. Shakhnazarova dropped the first set to Bowen in No. 1 singles 4-6 but battled back to win the second set 7-5 and force the tiebreaker. She came away with the win after a close 10-7 third set.
 
In the No. 2 singles spot, sophomore Sophie Lesage had a close win over the Pride's Lopez. She won the first set in a close tiebreaker 7-6(3) before winning the second set 6-3.
 
The Tigers will travel out to California State University at Northridge for a 2pm match (5pm EST) on Tuesday, March 17. They will then play Colorado State University on Thursday, March 19 in a neutral site match in Orange County, Calif.
 
Singles
1) Nicole Shakhnazarova (TU) def. Sarah Bowen (HU), 4-6, 7-5, 10-7
2) Sophie Lesage (TU) def. Louise Lopez (HU), 7-6 (3), 6-3
3) Lucy Williams (TU) def. Giulia Leone (HU), 6-0, 6-3
4) A.J. Gomer (TU) def. Carmen Pestano (HU), 6-1, 6-1
5) Barbora Vasilkova (TU) def. Bianca Derrick (HU), 6-2, 6-2
6) Renate van Oorschodt (TU) def. Bianca Posa (HU), 6-1, 6-1
 
Doubles
1) Shakhnazarova/Williams (TU) def. Bowen/Pestano (HU), 8-3
2) Gomer/von Oorschodt (TU) def. Lopez/Derrick, 8-3
3) Cailey Eastdale/Vasilkova (TU) def. Leone/Posa, 8-0