Second-Ranked Women's Tennis Knocks Off Virginia, 5-2, On Senior Day

Sunday, April 8

Durham, N.C.

TBA

Duke University

Virginia

Second-Ranked Women's Tennis Knocks Off Virginia, 5-2, On Senior Day

4/8/2001 1:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. (April 8) - The second-ranked Duke women's tennis team battled very hot weather and a stubborn Virginia team on senior day April 8 at the Duke Tennis Stadium to take a 5-2 victory and improve to 18-1 overall, 5-0 in ACC action. The Blue Devils concluded a stretch that saw them compete in eight matches in the last 12 days.

"Virginia fought well today, but we didn't play that well overall," said Duke head coach Jamie Ashworth. "Our top three played well at one, two, and three and our number two doubles team played great. We just have to get out and get some practice because we haven't been able to practice the last three days."

The 18-1 start for the Blue Devils equals the best start in the school history (1977-78). Senior's Kathy Sell (Moorestown, N.J.) and Megan Miller (Palm City, Fla.), who are two of Duke's winningest players in the history, each played their last home match in Durham on Sunday.

In doubles action, Duke grabbed the 1-0 lead as the 31st-ranked duo of Sell and Ansley Cargill (Atlanta, Ga.) quickly disposed of Christine Kim/Amy O'Donnell of Virginia (8-0) to take the No. 2 spot and the fourth-ranked team of Miller and Amanda Johnson (Bettendorf, Iowa) battled back from a 4-1 deficit to win 8-5 over Christie Schweer/Henriette Williams at No. 1. Virginia's duo of Jennifer Touchband/Kelly Weaver took the number three position 9-8 over Katie Granson (Bethlehem, Pa.) and Hillary Adams (New York, N.Y.).

Johnson go things rolling in singles play by keeping her unbeaten streak alive in the spring and won her 23rd-consecutive match as she defeated Schweer (6-1, 6-2) at number three. Cargill added another easy win to her resume with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over O'Donnell at the first slot. Both Johnson and Cargill are two of the top freshmen in the nation recording a combined 62-6 record so far this season. Johnson is ranked 19th-nationally, while Cargill is second.

The Blue Devils held a 3-1 lead before Virginia cut it to 3-2 as Duke's Adams retired from her match against Laura James due to tendonitis in her knee (0-6, 3-2 retired), but Duke rebounded with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory by 49th-ranked Miller over Williams at number two. It was fitting for Miller to post the match-clinching victory on senior day as she improves to 119-34 for her career at Duke. Sophomore Prim Siripipat (Mexico, Mo.) notched Duke's fifth point at number six with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Weaver and Sell lost 5-6, 5-7 to Touchband at the fourth position to close out the match.

Duke will be on the road for the final three games of the regular season at 19th-ranked Wake Forest on Wednesday (5:00 PM), at Georgia Tech on April 11 (11:00 AM), and at Clemson on April 15 (12:00 PM).

The duo of Miller and Sell closed out their stellar career in Durham on Sunday, but still have a lot of tennis left in their senior year. Both have led Duke to three ACC Tournament championships, two ACC regular season titles, two final fours, and led the Blue Devils to 96 victories in the last four years.

1. (#2) Ansley Cargill, Duke def. Amy O'Donnell, UVA, 6-0, 6-2
2. (#49) Megan Miller, Duke def. Henriette Williams, UVA, 6-1, 6-4
3. (#19) Amanda Johnson, Duke def. Christie Schweer, UVA, 6-1, 6-2
4. Jennifer Touchband, UVA, def. (#16) Kathy Sell, Duke, 5-6, 5-7
5. Laura James, UVA, def. Hillary Adams, Duke, 0-6, 3-2, retired
6. Prim Siripipat, Duke def. Kelly Weaver, UVA, 6-4, 6-2

1. (#4) Amanda Johnson/Megan Miller, Duke def. Christie Schweer/Henriette Williams, UVA, 8-5
2. (#31) Kathy Sell/Ansley Cargill, Duke def. Christine Kim/Amy O'Donnell, UVA, 8-0
3. Jennifer Touchband/Kelly Weaver, UVA, def. Katie Granson/Hillary Adams, Duke, 9-8