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DePaul Finishes Blue and Gray Classic
Feb. 27, 2011 MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The No. 48 DePaul women’s tennis team fell in the consolation finals of the 2011 Blue and Gray National Tennis Classic to No. 36 Alabama, 4-0 on Sunday. The Crimson Tide improve to 7-2 on the season, while the Blue Demons slip to 8-6 -- all of its losses coming at the hands of a ranked team.
“I am proud of how we battled,” DePaul head coach Mark Ardizzone said. “Alabama is just a really good team.” Alabama won the doubles point with wins on the second and third courts. With the point won, the top doubles court did not finish however; DePaul’s No. 55 tandem of Katarina Milinkovic and Gia McKnight were tied with the No. 4 pair of Alexa Guarachi and Courtney McLane, 5-5. The Crimson Tide clinched the match with singles wins on the fifth, sixth and second courts. Play was halted on all other courts as soon as Alabama secured the win; however DePaul’s Kelsey Lawson and Milinkovic were both up in their second sets. In the top spot, Milinkovic was up a 1-0 on No. 24 Mary Anne Macfarlane and had a 4-0 lead in the second stanza. On the third court, Lawson was up 3-1 in the second set after No. 91 Courtney McLane took the first stanza, 6-4.
Recapping the weekend, Ardizzone added, “this whole weekend was a great experience for our team and an honor to be included in such a great event.” The Blue Demons reached the consolation finals of one of the nation’s most prestigious tournaments with a thrilling, 4-3 win over No. 64 Auburn on Saturday.
DePaul returns to action on March 5 when it hosts Butler and Dayton in a doubleheader dual at the Lakeshore Athletic Club. The Blue Demons’ 2 p.m. match with the Bulldogs has been tabbed Campus Kids Day. #36 Alabama 4, #48 DePaul 0 Singles |
