NEWARK, Del. – For just the third time in program history and the first time since 1992, the Towson University women's tennis team defeated Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rival Delaware 5-2 on Monday afternoon. The Tigers improved to 11-8 overall and 2-2 in CAA play with the victory.
 
"This is our first time beating Delaware since joining the CAA during the 2001-02 season," Head Coach Doug Neagle said. "The girls really wanted this one and everybody played a role in this victory. It starts on the practice court for us, in the weight room, etc. and you can see the hard work the girls are putting in."
 
Despite earning a win at No. 1 doubles, the Tigers dropped the doubles point to the Blue Hens to start off the match. The freshman duo of Nicole Shakhnazarova and Renate van Oorschodt defeated Delaware's Danea Jonjic and Arielle Shuren by a score of 8-7 (3-0) for Towson's only doubles win.
 
Towson fought back in singles play to earn the victory over the Blue Hens, winning five of the six singles matches. The Tigers swept No. 1-3 singles, led by Shakhnazarova who won her 19th singles match of the season. She dropped the first set of the match to Jonjic 4-6 before battling back to win the second set 6-3 and the third set tiebreaker 6-4.
 
Freshman Lucy Williams and sophomore Sophie Lesage had straight set victories in No. 2 and 3 singles, respectively. Williams won 6-1, 6-1 over the Blue Hens' Denny LaMachia while Lesage defeated Kim Mila 6-1, 6-0.
 
The final three singles sets were decided in third set tiebreakers.
 
Senior Ayana Dow defeated Abby Martinez 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 in the No. 6 singles spot.
 
Freshman Barbora Vasilkova won a thrilling No. 5 singles match against Christina Harrington. Vasilkova won a tough first set 7-6 (6-0), dropped the second set 3-6 but hung tough to get the win in the third set 6-3
 
Delaware would earn its second point of the match at No. 4 singles. The Blue Hens' Amanda Studnicki won the first set 6-2 against the Tigers' A.J. Gomer. Gomer fought back 7-5 to force the tiebreaker but was unable to capitalize and fell 6-1.
 
"In our team huddle after we lost the doubles point, we talked about heart and desire," Neagle commented. "Strategy went out the window and it came down to who really wanted it."
 
Towson will travel to Bucknell tomorrow, Tuesday, April 7 for a 3:30 p.m. match. The match was originally scheduled for March 31 but was postponed due to inclement weather in the area.


 Singles competition
1. Nicole Shakhnazarova (TOW) def. Danea Jonjic' (DEL) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
2. Lucy Williams (TOW) def. Denny LaMachia (DEL) 6-1, 6-1
3. Sophie Lesage (TOW) def. Kim Milla (DEL) 6-1, 6-0
4. Amanda Studnicki (DEL) def. A.J. Gomer (TOW) 6-2, 5-7, 6-1
5. Barbora Vasilkova (TOW) def. Christina Harrington (DEL) 7-6 (6-0), 3-6, 6-3
6. Ayana Dow (TOW) def. Abby Martinez (DEL) 6-1, 2-6, 6-2
 
 Doubles competition
1. Nicole Shakhnazarova/Renate van Oorschodt (TOW) def. Danea Jonjic'/Arielle Shuren (DEL) 8-7 (3-0)
2. Kim Milla/Denny LaMachia (DEL) def. Lucy Williams/Ayana Dow (TOW) 8-2
3. Abby Martinez/Amanda Studnicki (DEL) def. Cailey Easdale/Barbora Vasilkova (TOW) 8-1