March 10, 2003

NORFOLK, VA -- The Old Dominion women's tennis returned to the win column on Saturday as they defeated the Ivy League's Brown at home on Saturday afternoon, 3-4. The win improves the Lady Monarchs to 3-6 on the year.

The Lady Monarchs swept the doubles competition to take the point. Junior Nataly Cahana and newcomer Meretha van Niekerk downed Alex Arlak and Kerry Meath at No. 1 doubles 8-5, while the No. 2 doubles tandem of senior Julia Sotiriu and Coralie Herrmann defeated Victoria Beck and Kim Singer 8-6. Freshmen Kerstin Endlich and Verena Munzinger rounded out doubles play with a 9-7 decision over Yelan Klurfeu and Lee at No. 3 doubles.

Old Dominion won the first three singles matches to seal the win. Both No. 1 and No. 3 singles used straight sets for their victories. Nataly Cahana, ranked #18 in the ITA Poll, won in straight sets at No. 1 singles, 6-0, 6-3, while Endlich came away with a 6-0, 6-4 at No. 3 singles. Mertha van Niekerk picked up the other singles coming back from a 3-6 loss in the first set to take the next two, 7-6, 6-0.

MATCH SUMMARY

Singles:
Nataly Cahana (ODU) d. Victoria Beck (Brown) 6-0,6-3
Meretha van Niekerk (ODU) d. Yelena Klurfeu (Brown) 3-6,7-6,6-0
Kerstin Endlich (ODU) d. Alex Arlak (Brown) 6-0,6-4
Kerry Meath (Brown)  d. Julia Sotiriu (ODU) 6-0,6-4
Kim Singer (Brown) d. Coralie Herrmann (ODU) 4-6,6-0,6-3
Stephanie Falcum (Brown) d. Verena Munzinger (ODU) 6-4,6-2



Doubles:
Cahana/van Niekerk (ODU) d. Arlak/Meath (Brown) 8-5
Sotiriu/Herrmann (ODU) d Beck/Singer (Brown) 8-6
Endrich/Munzinger (ODU) d. Klurfeud/Lee (Brown) 9-7