March 26, 2016
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy women's tennis team (15-8, 1-1 PL) defeated Lehigh (6-5, 1-1 PL), 4-3, on Saturday afternoon at the Tose Family Tennis Center in the Brigade Sports Complex. Navy won the critical doubles point and then won three of the six singles matches to earn the Patriot League victory.
"That was a knock-down, drag-out fight, which is typical for our conference and that is what we have to expect every single time out," said Navy head coach Keith Puryear. "Doubles came up really big and I was pleased with the way we came out in the doubles. We came out with a lot of energy and that was the key in securing the doubles point and as it turned out that was the decider in the match as we ended up splitting the singles matches."
Junior Summer Ralston and freshman Carlee Conway opened the day by defeating Lehigh's Grace Lin and Cassidy Cruz at No. 2 doubles, 6-3. Navy sophomores Amanda Keller and Claudia Mackenzie then defeated Christina Auyeung and Jamie Campisi at the No. 1 doubles position, 6-3. Junior Audrey Channell and sophomore Kristine Rojo finished off the doubles sweep by besting Kristin Godau and Briana Maravich at No. 3 doubles, 7-5.
In a battle of All-Patriot League performers at the No. 1 singles position, Keller dropped Auyeung in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2. Auyeung was named to the All-Patriot League First Team in 2015 and Keller was named to the second team.
Mackenzie defeated Campisi in straight sets at No. 2 singles, 6-2, 6-2, and Conway's 6-0, 6-4 win at No. 6 singles over Godau put Navy ahead at 4-1 and clinched the team victory.
"I thought Amanda played a very good match, as did Claudia and Carlee," Puryear said. "They really took care of business today."
After the match was already decided at 4-1, Lehigh won the remaining two singles matches to set the final score at 4-3.
"Lehigh is a much-improved team and we have been tracking them throughout the season," said Puryear. "We knew they would be a tough customer. Everybody has gotten better in our conference."
Keller improves her overall singles record to 19-14 on the season and Conway is 18-4.
Navy is now 8-0 against Lehigh in the all-time series.
Navy will next host archrival Army West Point in the 2016 Star Match on Saturday, April 2 at 11:00 AM.
Navy defeats Lehigh, 4-3Doubles -- Navy wins the doubles point, 3-0No. 1 Amanda Keller / Claudia Mackenzie (Navy) def. Christina Auyeung / Jamie Campisi, 6-3No. 2 Summer Ralston / Carlee Conway (Navy) def. Grace Lin / Cassidy Cruz, 6-3No. 3 Audrey Channell / Kristine Rojo (Navy) def. Kristin Godau / Briana Maravich, 7-5
SinglesNo. 1 Amanda Keller (Navy) def. Christina Auyeung, 6-1, 6-2No. 2 Grace Lin (Lehigh) def. Logan Antill, 6-4, 6-2No. 3 Claudia Mackenzie (Navy) def. Jamie Campisi, 6-2, 6-2No. 4 Briana Maravich (Lehigh) def. Katie Porter, 6-2, 6-3No. 5 Cassidy Cruz (Lehigh) def. Sam Droop, 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (10-3)No. 6 Carlee Conway (Navy) def. Kristin Godau, 6-0, 6-4
