Duke Cruises To ACC Tournament Semifinal

Friday, April 17

Cary, N.C.

12 p.m.

Duke University

Virginia

Duke Cruises To ACC Tournament Semifinal

4/17/2009 4:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

CARY, N.C.?The Duke University women's tennis team needed just over two hours to advance to the ACC Tournament semifinal round today, beating seventh-seeded Virginia 4-0. Riding a 10-match win streak, the second-seeded Blue Devils will take on the winner of the match between Clemson and North Carolina on April 18 at 1 p.m., at the Cary Tennis Park.

Playing the match to decision, third-ranked Duke (21-3) captured the doubles point and won the No. 2, No. 5 and No. 6 singles matches to go home with a 4-0 victory over the Cavaliers. Duke advances to the semifinal for the 21st time overall as the Blue Devils have never failed to move past the quarterfinal round since the tournament began in 1986.

“I think it was really good that we didn't overlook this match,” senior Melissa Mang said. “We're really excited about the semis and the finals and we just came out here with a lot of energy. That was what Jamie [Ashworth] was telling us we needed to do, make sure we had a lot of energy. You could feel it all across three courts in the doubles.”

Looking to capture the doubles point for the sixth straight match, Duke got off to a fast start against the Cavaliers. All three doubles matches finished within a couple of minutes of each other.

Sophomores Reka Zsilinszka and Ellah Nze got of the court first with an 8-3 win on court three. One minute later it was the 16th-ranked tandem of Amanda Granson and Mang coming away with an 8-5 victory. On court two, rookie Mallory Cecil and Jessi Robinson completed the sweep with an 8-3 triumph.

The Blue Devils carried that momentum onto the singles courts with Duke winning five of the six first sets.

“Not letting up after the doubles was really important,” Mang said. “We all came off and got off to good starts and I got on top of my girl right in the beginning so that was really important for us.”

Mang cruised through her match in just an hour, winning 6-1, 6-1 at No. 5. Capturing her 30th win of the season and 101st of her career, Mang is riding a 12-match win streak and has yet to lose to an ACC foe.

“It's so nice to [get off the court fast],” Mang said. “It's a long weekend and any way to conserve a little bit of energy and get of the court fast helps. I got to cheer on my teammates, which is great. I got a lot of confidence from the match and I'm excited.”

Making it 3-0 about 30 minutes later was Nze at No. 2 singles. The Chevy Chase, Md. Native battled through a tough 7-5 first set and dominated the action in the second set to win 7-5, 6-1.

Five minutes later, Robinson closed out the overall match with the identical score. Looking for 21st win of the year, the senior co-captain defeated Neela Vaez 7-5, 6-1 to send Duke to a 4-0 win.

Zsilinszka, Granson, and Cecil all were left on the court as their matches went unfinished. Zsilinszka was serving for the match, leading 5-3 in the second set. Both Granson and Cecil were starting the third sets after splitting the first two.

The Blue Devils hit the court tomorrow at 1 p.m., at the Cary Tennis Park. They will take on either Clemson or North Carolina. Duke defeated Clemson 7-0 and North Carolina 4-3 during the regular season. Fans can get complete information about the ACC Tournament by clicking here.

#5 Duke University 4, #27 Virginia 0
Apr 17, 2009 at Cary, N.C. (Cary Tennis Park)

Singles competition

1. #16 Mallory Cecil (DU) vs. #87 Emily Fraser (UVA) unfinished

2. #33 Ellah Nze (DU) def. #97 Jennifer Stevens (UVA) 7-5, 6-1

3. #39 Reka Zsilinszka (DU) vs. Lindsey Hardenbergh (UVA) unfinished

4. #74 Amanda Granson (DU) vs. Amanda Rales (UVA) unfinished

5. #115 Melissa Mang (DU) def. Maggie Yahner (UVA) 6-1, 6-1

6. Jessi Robinson (DU) def. Neela Vaez (UVA) 7-5, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. #16 Melissa Mang/Amanda Granson (DU) def. #44 Emily Fraser/Jennifer Stevens (UVA) 8-5

2. #73 Jessi Robinson/Mallory Cecil (DU) def. Maggie Yahner/Amanda Rales (UVA) 8-3

3. Ellah Nze/Reka Zsilinszka (DU) def. Neela Vaez/Lindsey Hardenbergh (UVA) 8-3