Navy Women's Tennis Posts Wins Over Manhattan and Howard

Feb. 19, 2011

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy women's team won both of its matches on Saturday, including a thrilling 4-3 win in the nightcap over Howard to run its record to 9-4 overall. Navy has now won eight of its last nine matches after starting the season 1-3.

"It was a very successful weekend for us," said Navy head coach Keith Puryear. "Against Manhattan, our depth showed. We were able to get everyone in the mix. We had a few hiccups, but did a good job of recovering."

Navy cruised in the first match of the day, defeating Manhattan, 7-0. The Mids won all three doubles matches, while giving up just nine games to the Jaspers. Amanda Griffin (Sr. / Roseville, Calif.) and Erin Snook (Fr. / Tampa, Fla.) got things started with an 8-2 triumph at No. 1 doubles. Natalie Houle (So. / The Woodlands, Texas) and Caitlin Olsen (Fr. / Los Gatos, Calif.) then clinched the doubles point with an 8-3 win at No. 3 doubles.

For good measure, Stefanie Ton (So. / Milpitas, Calif.) and Emani Decquir (So. / Sacramento, Calif.) completed the doubles sweep at No. 2 doubles with an 8-4 win.

Navy then breezed to the win by claiming all six singles matches, with just one of the matches going three sets. Snook won Navy's first singles match with a 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 3 singles. Decquir then won her first singles match of the year with an impressive 6-0, 6-1 triumph at No. 2 singles. Dye Das (So. / Cherry Hill, N.J.) then clinched the match with a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles.

Navy completed the sweep with wins by Haley Adams (Fr. / Woodstock, Ga.) at No. 6, Katie Laderer (So. / Norfolk, Va.) at No. 5 and Griffin at No. 1 singles.

Navy then recorded one of its most impressive victories of the season with a 4-3 triumph over Howard. The Mids lost the doubles point by dropping two of the three doubles matches, but rallied to win four-of-six matches to rally for the win.

"Against Howard, we knew we would be tested. They are one of the top teams in their conference and favored by many to win the MEAC this year," said Puryear. "We put ourselves in a big hole by dropping the doubles point, and therefore had to do it the hard way, by winning four of the six singles matches."

Navy started its rally at No. 5 singles, when Erin Snook recorded a 6-1, 6-4 victory to knot the score at 1-1. Griffin then won her second match of the day at No. 1 singles with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph to push the Navy lead to 2-1.

After a Howard win to tie the score at 2-2, Brittney Boucher (Sr. / San Antonio, Texas) won her match at No. 6 singles, then Darien Sears (Fr. / Silver Spring, Md.) clinched the match with a thrilling 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) victory at No. 4 singles.

"I was proud of the way the ladies responded to the challenge. We had great matches by every single one of our players, even in the two singles matches we did not win. It was a great effort by all," said Puryear.

Navy will play three matches next Saturday, battling Seton Hall at 9:00 am, St. Mary's (Md.) at 2:00 pm and George Washington at 7:00 pm. All three matches will be played at the Brigade Sports Complex.

NAVY 7, MANHATTAN 0
DOUBLES PLAY
1) Griffin / Snook (Navy) d. Johnson / Venenzuela, 8-2
2) Ton / Decquir (Navy) d. Tsao / Puleo, 8-4
3) Houle / Olsen (Navy) d. Ton / Turano, 8-3
Order of Finish: (1, 3, 2)

SINGLES PLAY
1) Amanda Griffin (Navy) d. Lili Johnson, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 1-0 (12-10)
2) Emani Decquir (Navy) d. Hilary Valenzuela, 6-0, 6-1
3) Erin Snook (Navy) d. Christina Puleo, 6-0, 6-0
4) Dye Das (Navy) d. Stephanie Tsao, 6-0, 6-2
5) Katie Laderer (Navy) d. Christina Ton, 6-1, 7-5
6) Haley Adams (Navy) d. Brianna Turano, 6-4, 6-4
Order of Finish: (3, 2, 4, 6, 5, 1)

NAVY 4, HOWARD 3
DOUBLES PLAY
1) Griffin / Snook (Navy) lost to Stokes / Brown, 8-2
2) Ton / Decquir (Navy) lost to Morgan / Hawthorne, 8-4
3) Boucher / Sears (Navy) d. Works / Moore, 8-4
Order of Finish: (3, 1, 2)

SINGLES PLAY
1) Amanda Griffin (Navy) d. Michelle Brown, 6-4, 6-3
2) Emani Decquir (Navy) lost to Brittney Morgan, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
3) Stefanie Ton (Navy) lost to Katelyn Stokes, 7-5, 6-4
4) Darien Sears (Navy) d. Brooke Hawthorne 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5)
5) Erin Snook (Navy) d. Anne Akhamien, 6-1, 6-4
6) Brittney Boucher (Navy) d. Ashley Moore 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
Order of Finish: (5, 1, 3, 6, 4, 2)