WOMEN’S TENNIS TURNS BACK NEW HAVEN, 5-4, IN 2009 SEASON FINALE

WOODBRIDGE, Conn. (Oct. 10, 2009) - Ahead 4-2 after doubles and three singles contests, freshman Caitlin Ortiz (Huntington Station, N.Y.) put away the match for the Molloy College women's tennis team against the University of New Haven with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over senior Leah Smith (Bristol, Conn.) at Amity High School on Saturday afternoon in Woodbridge, Conn. With the decision, the Lions capped the 2009 season at 4-6 overall. As for the Chargers, they dropped to 1-5 on the year.

After losing in the first-doubles position by an 8-6 score, Molloy bounced back to take the next two decisions. In the second contest, senior Shannon Skeggs (Southold, N.Y.) and freshman Madeline Jurlano (Middle Village, N.Y.) beat Smith and junior Chelsea Annese (Topsham, Maine), 8-6. At third doubles, sophomore Angeline Asaro (Deer Park, N.Y.) and senior Annie Ayala (South Hempstead, N.Y.) topped sophomores Amanda Foley (West Haven, Conn.) and Sarah Williamson (Easton, Mass.) in an 8-3 final.

Freshman Jeana Frey (Island Park, N.Y.) and Jurlano each won their singles battles in straight sets. Frey was a 6-1, 6-3 victor against freshman Lauren Lyons (Sparta, N.J.), while Jurlano bested senior Kristina Bensley (Matamoras, Pa.) by identical scores of 6-2. At No. 3 singles, sophomore Noelle Polhemus (Glen Gardner, N.J.) responded with a 6-0, 6-1 downing of Asaro. Following Ortiz's win at fourth singles, New Haven earned wins in its favor from Annese and senior Mariana Zahora (Tamaqua, Pa.) in the last two flights.

Please continue to check back at www.molloy.edu/athletics for more information regarding the Lions' women's tennis team.