Women's Tennis Captures SSC Title

LAKELAND, Fla.—Only a few hours after the Barry men’s tennis team captured the SSC Championship, the Buccaneer women’s tennis team repeated the feat with a 5-2 win over the #2 Lynn Fighting Knights to clinch the Championship.

After doubles, the Buccaneers (21-3) took a comfortable 2-1 lead in to singles play. The Fighting Knights (21-3) grabbed the first point out of the gate as Jessica Yanoff and Tessie Salame defeated Angie Werschel and Julie Stas 8-3 at number two.

The relentless Buccaneers bounced back and captured a doubles win at number three doubles, as senior Berit Peterson and freshman Mia Fiocca captured an 8-6 win over Eleonora Iannozzi and Christine Johnstone to tie the overall match at 1-1.

Barry’s top doubles team, sixth-ranked Barbi Pocza and Yulia Kashelkina, gave the Bucs their first advantage of the game beating #5 Katerina Jiskorva and Magdalena Ekert in the super tiebreaker 9-8 (9-7). Barry took the lead at 2-1 after doubles.

Lynn came back and tied the overall match at 2-2 in the first singles match. #18 Iannozzi defeated #40 Kashelkina 6-1, 6-2 at number three singles. But Barry went on to win the next three matches to close it out and take the championship.

Fifth-ranked Pocza recaptured the lead at 3-2 on a solid 6-3, 6-4 win against #7 Jiskrova. The Buccaneers would never surrender the lead again. Twelth-ranked Werschel extended the Barry advantage to 4-2 after a win at number two singles, 7-5, 6-1 over #16 Ekert.

Sophomore Caroline Wendling clinched the title with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Salame. 

Barry heads into the NCAA Regional as the #1 seed in the South Region. Regional action in the NCAA Tournament is set for May 6-8.

Tennis Match Results
Lynn vs Barry
04/17/10 at Lakeland, Fla.
(Beerman Tennis Facility)

#4 Barry 5, #2 Lynn 2

Singles competition
1. #5 Barbi Pocza (BUW) def. #7 Katerina Jiskrova (LUW) 6-3, 6-4
2. #12 Angie Werschel (BUW) def. #16 Magdalena Ekert (LUW) 7-5, 6-1
3. #18 Eleonora Iannozzi (LUW) def. #40 Yulia Kashelkina (BUW) 6-1, 6-2
4. Caroline Wendling (BUW) def. Tessie Salame (LUW) 6-3, 6-1
5. Mia Fiocca (BUW) vs. Jessica Yanoff (LUW) unfinished
6. Berit Peterson (BUW) vs. Christine Johnstone (LUW) unfinished

Doubles competition
1. #6 Barbi Pocza/Yulia Kashelkina (BUW) def. #5 Katerina Jiskrova/Magdalena Ekert (LUW) 9-8 (9-7)
2. Jessica Yanoff/Tessie Salame (LUW) def. Angie Werschel/Julie Stas (BUW) 8-3
3. Berit Peterson/Mia Fiocca (BUW) def. Eleonora Iannozzi/Christine Johnstone (LUW) 8-6

Match Notes:
Lynn 21-3; National ranking #2
Barry 21-3; National ranking #4
Championship - Sunshine State Conference Tournament
Match order - Doubles: 2,3,1; Singles: 3,1,2,4
Barry wins 5-2 (Caroline Wendling wins clinching match)
First SSC women's tennis title for Barry since 2005, fourth overall