Solorzano was a double-winner, knocking off the region's No. 6-ranked singles player at No. 1 singles |
Firebirds edge Skyhawks behind Belluco in regional clash
EASTON, Mass. (October 11, 2019) – University of the District of Columbia, ranked No. 6 in the most recent Oracle/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II East Region rankings, held off a late charge from No. 4 Stonehill College to claim a 4-3 victory in non-conference women's tennis action inside the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex today.
Freshman Sofia Belluco led District of Columbia with singles and doubles points. She teamed up with senior Estefania Castrillon for a 7-6 (7-3) triumph at No. 3 doubles that clinched the doubles point for the Firebirds, which proved valuable in the match as the visitors posted both doubles wins in tiebreakers. Belluco followed that up with a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles against Stonehill sophomore Emma Markaryan that gave UDC a 3-1 lead.
Freshman Izabella Bilecova clinched the win for UDC and halted a Stonehill comeback effort with a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 triumph at No. 5 singles against sophomore Samantha Ormesher. Sophomore Joanna Skrzypczynska also notched a point for the Firebirds at No. 3 singles, while junior Simone Parn and senior Marija Milic earned a key 7-6 (7-4) decision at No. 1 doubles for UDC.
Freshman Cristina Solorzano Valencia was a double-winner to lead Stonehill in the match. She and senior Annelise Howick rolled to a 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles for the Skyhawks. Solorzano Valencia followed that up by earning the Skyhawks first point of the match by knocking off Parn, ranked No. 6 in the Oracle/ITA East Region singles rankings, 6-4, 6-2 at No. 1 singles.
Seniors Alexandra Vo and Caroline Ray also picked up singles wins for Stonehill at No. 2 and No. 6 singles, respectively. Vo, ranked No. 15 in the Oracle/ITA East singles rankings, fought back from a set down and 1-5 down in the third set for a 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 triumph over 18th-ranked Milic.
Stonehill (7-2, 7-1 NE10) is right back in action tomorrow, when it returns to Northeast-10 Conference play at Franklin Pierce University at noon. The Skyhawks return home on Sunday, October 20, to host Bryant University for Senior Day at noon. UDC (8-0, 3-0 ECC) visits Bentley University tomorrow at 5 p.m.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
