March 14, 2009
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ATLANTA – Sasha Krupina defeated Kali Krisik in three sets to lead the No. 7 Georgia Tech women’s tennis team to a 4-3 upset win over No. 4 Notre Dame (14-2) Saturday at the Bill Moore Tennis Center.
“It was a great match,” head coach Bryan Shelton said. “I am so proud of our girls for the team effort. I felt that we really improved in our doubles play even though we lost the point. Overall, I was really impressed with how well Irina played out there and getting the job to keep us alive.”
Krupina, playing at No. 6 singles, won the first set 7-5 before Krisik picked up a 6-1 win in the second set to force a third and final set between the two. Krupina proved to be too tough, clinching the match with a 6-2 win in the final set to move the Yellow Jackets to 8-4 on the season
“I think Sasha did a good job by staying calm in the third set and executing her game play,” Shelton said. “It is a great way to start a spring break. We are really looking forward to our match Thursday. I know our girls were prepared and will be fired up.”
Notre Dame opened the day by taking two of three doubles matches to open a 1-0 lead on the Yellow Jackets. Tech’s duo of Amanda McDowell and Lynn Blau won their third straight match since being paired last weekend. The tandem defeated Shannon Matthews and Colleen Rielley, 8-5, at No. 3 doubles.
The Jackets opened singles with wins in the first and third flights to take a 2-1 lead on the Fighting Irish. On court three, senior Christy Striplin, the 44th-ranked player in the nation, earned a 6-1, 6-2 win over No. 114 Kristen Rafael followed by No. 18 McDowell’s 6-2, 6-2 win in the top spot of the lineup over No. 31 Kelcy Tefft.
After the lights went out for more than 10 minutes, the Irish were able to tie the match up at 2-2 with a 6-3, 6-1 win by Cosmina Ciobanu in the fourth singles flight over Lynn Blau.
Irina Falconi, the nation’s No. 2 player, came from behind to out-duel No. 55 Kristy Frilling on court two to give the Jackets a 3-2 lead. Falconi lost the first set 6-4 but stormed back to win the second set 7-5 and third set 6-4.
Viet Ha Ngo dropped her match at No. 5 singles, 6-1, 6-0 to Shannon Matthews to tie the score at 3-3 and set up a final showdown between Krupina and Kali Krisik in the sixth singles flight.
The Yellow Jackets raised over $650 from its “Ace for the Cure” event Saturday. Fans contributed by donating, pledging per ace, buying raffle tickets and purchasing pink hats and visors. The Jackets registered 12 aces on the day, including nine by Krupina.
Tech returns to action Thursday when it travels to in-state rival Georgia. The match at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex is scheduled for 5 p.m. The Jackets will return home next weekend when they host Virginia on Saturday and Virginia Tech on Sunday.
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