Blue Devils Roll Past Badgers in Opening Round

Friday, February 12

Madison, Wis.

4:30 p.m.

Duke University

Wisconsin

Women's Tennis Travels to Puerto Rico for Two Matches

Blue Devils Roll Past Badgers in Opening Round

2/12/2010 9:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

MADISON, Wis.-Duke University's top-ranked women's tennis team continued its early season dominance this evening with a 6-1 win over host Wisconsin in the first round of the ITA National Team Indoor Championship. The Blue Devils advance to the quarterfinals to take on eighth-seed Southern California on Feb. 13 at 3:30 p.m.

"It was a good first match for us," head coach Jamie Ashworth said. "We haven't played outside of Duke at all this season and playing Wisconsin on their home court was a tough thing for a couple of our girls to get used to just because we haven't played away. I thought we did a good job. Coming out into singles after winning the doubles point and getting off the courts quick is something we need to do at this tournament with three or four matches in four days."

Duke maintained its unblemished doubles record earning the first point of the match by taking No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. The duo of Amanda Granson and Ellah Nze were the first off the court with an 8-4 triumph, while Reka Zsilinszka and Elizabeth Plotkin emerged victorious at 8-3 in the No. 2 slot to give the Blue Devils the 1-0 lead in the match.

"[The first match] away from home was awesome," Zsilinszka said. "Usually we have played one or two away matches by now so I think it was good to get some of the jitters out before we play against an even tougher opponent tomorrow."

In singles action it was Rookie Mary Clayton making quick work of Wisconsin's Kathleen Saltarelli with a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 6 singles. With the 2-0 lead in the match, Nze made it 3-0 for the Blue Devils as she cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 triumph over Katya Mirnova at No. 2.

At No. 4, senior Amanda Granson battled back in a tough first set and coasted through the second set to win 7-5, 6-2 for the clinching point for the Duke victory.

Zsilinszka dominated Angela Chupa at No. 1 with a 6-0, 6-1 win to make it 5-0 in favor of the Blue Devils. Senior Elizabeth Plotkin was equally impressive at the No. 3 position. She pushed her season record to 6-0 with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Aleksandra Markovic.

"It's always a good thing to get off the court fast in matches like this," Zsilinszka said. "The shorter the better I guess."

Wisconsin stole a point at No. 5 when Hannah Berner battled back from one set behind and edged Duke's Monica Gorny 0-6, 6-2, 10-6.

The Blue Devils will take on the winner of the Southern California/Clemson match. Southern California is the No. 8 seed, while Clemson is ranked 14th nationally.

"We are so excited to play either one of those teams and we look forward to the challenges it presents," Zsilinszka said. "It's always nice to be tested and I feel like we often rise to the level of competition and we play even better."

#1 Duke 6, Wisconsin 1
Feb 12, 2010 at Madison, Wis. (Nielsen Tennis Stadium)

Singles competition

1. #20 Reka Zsilinszka (DU) def. Angela Chupa (WIS) 6-0, 6-1

2. #91 Ellah Nze (DU) def. Katya Mirnova (WIS) 6-3, 6-1

3. Elizabeth Plotkin (DU) def. Aleksandra Markovic (WIS) 6-0, 6-1

4. #80 Amanda Granson (DU) def. Jessica Seyferth (WIS) 7-5, 6-2

5. Hannah Berner (WIS) def. #63 Monica Gorny (DU) 0-6, 6-2, 10-6

6. Mary Clayton (DU) def. Kathleen Saltarelli (WIS) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Amanda Granson/Ellah Nze (DU) def. Angela Chupa/Aleksandra Markovic (WIS) 8-4

2. Reka Zsilinszka/Elizabeth Plotkin (DU) def. Hannah Berner/Kathleen Saltarelli (WIS) 8-3

3. Monica Gorny/Jessica Stiles (DU) def. Jessica Seyferth/Katya Mirnova (WIS) 8-6 (6-0)