Feb. 15, 2008

GREELEY, Colo. - Playing its second match in as many days, the University of Northern Colorado women's tennis team fell short against Arkansas State, dropping a 5-2 match to move to 2-5 on the season.

Tabatha Knop and Manuela Santos won the number one doubles with an 8-3 score, but the Indians won the other two ladders, 8-6 at number two and 8-3 at number three.

Tabatha Knop won her fifth straight match at number one singles with a 6-2, 7-6 (4) straight set victory over Maria Oprea. Santos won in three sets, falling 6-3 in the first and then winning the tie-breaker in the second to force the third set, which she won 6-3 to win her fourth straight match.

Arkansas State won the final four singles matches. Jodi Ciarvella forced a third set after dropping the first set 6-3, she bounced back to win 7-5 and then lost a close 7-5 decision in the deciding set at number four singles.

The Bears hit the courts for the third straight day as they play at Air Force tomorrow. The match is scheduled to begin at noon with the Falcons hosting South Dakota State at 9:00 a.m.

Arkansas State 5, Northern Colorado 2

Doubles

1 Santos/Tabatha Knop vs. Van Wyk/Branker 8-3

2 Oprea/Cheminska vs. Ciarvella/Tiffany Knop 8-6

3 Zora/Laing vs. Groll/Hannah LaForest 8-3

Singles

1. Tabatha Knop vs. Maria Oprea 6-2, 7-6 (4)

2. Manuela Santos vs. Paula Chelminska 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3

3. Rone van Wyk vs. Tiffany Knop 6-4, 6-2

4 Menna Kamal vs. Jodi Ciarvella 6-3, 5-7 7-5

5 Renee Branker vs. Karen Groll 6-4 6-0

6. Leydi Zora vs. Luiza Xavier  6-1, 6-3