Duke Outlasts Virginia to Stay Perfect in ACC Play

Saturday, April 3

Charlottesville, Va.

1:00 p.m.

Duke University

Virginia

Duke Outlasts Virginia to Stay Perfect in ACC Play

4/3/2010 6:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.-Duke senior Amanda Granson battled back from a 3-0 deficit in the third set to win 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-4 and clinch the match as the fifth-ranked Blue Devils outlasted No. 34 Virginia, 5-2, this afternoon in ACC women's tennis action. Duke remains unbeaten in conference play this season.

With Duke (17-2, 5-0) leading 3-2 thanks to a win from senior Elizabeth Plotkin at No. 2 singles, the final outcome of the match was in the hands of Granson and junior Reka Zsilinszka on courts four and three, respectively.

After splitting the first two sets, both Blue Devils were headed to decisive third sets to determine the outcome of the match. Zsilinszka grabbed the early break to go ahead 3-1, while Granson roared back from a 3-0 deficit to a 4-3 lead in the decisive third set.

Both players continued to roll in their third sets, going ahead 5-2 and 5-3, respectively. The Cavaliers tried to mount a comeback, pulling the sets to 5-4 apiece, but the Blue Devil duo closed out their matches to give Duke the win at 5-2.

Granson clinched the match, beating Hana Tomljanovic 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-4. The win was her team-best 26th of the year and 15th dual match win. Zsilinszka closed out the contest for the Blue Devils, edging Vierra 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 for her 24th victory of the season.

Duke got off to an outstanding start by taking the crucial doubles point. The Cavaliers and Blue Devils split the matches on courts two and three. The 44th-ranked Cavalier tandem of Lindsey Hardenbergh and Erin Vierra cruised to an 8-3 win over Duke's Monica Gorny and Mary Clayton at No. 2.

The Blue Devils evened the score with a win on court three as 58th-ranked Zsilinszka and Plotkin outlasted Virginia's Emily Fraser and Maria Fucillo 9-7. Needing a win on court one, Duke's pair of Ellah Nze and Granson came through in the end. Serving with an 8-7, the 42nd-ranked duo dropped just one point in the final game to clinch the doubles point with a 9-7 victory.

The rookie Clayton quickly made it 2-0 as she raced past Maria Fucillo 6-4, 6-0 on court six. The win is her 16th of the season as she remains unbeaten in conference competition.

The Cavaliers evened the matched 2-2 with victories on courts five and one. Virginia's Jennifer Stevens swept Gorny, 6-1, 6-1 from No. 5, while No. 42 Hardenbergh outlasted Nze in three sets 6-3, 0-6, 6-3 at the top spot.

With the final three matches remaining very close, Duke's Plotkin gave the Blue Devils another important victory 7-5, 7-6 (4) over Fraser at the No. 2 spot and set up the exciting finish.

Duke will look to continue its two-year home unbeaten streak on Wednesday, April 7 when it hosts No. 1 North Carolina at 3 p.m., at Ambler Tennis Stadium.

Duke 5, Virginia 2
Apr 03, 2010 at Charlottesville, Va. (Boyd Tinsley Courts)

Singles competition

1. #42 Lindsey Hardenbergh (UVA) def. #40 Ellah Nze (DU) 6-3, 0-6, 6-3

2. #62 Elizabeth Plotkin (DU) def. Emily Fraser (UVA) 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)

3. #39 Reka Zsilinszka (DU) def. Erin Vierra (UVA) 6-0, 5-7, 6-4

4. Amanda Granson (DU) def. Hana Tomljanovic (UVA) 6-7 (8-10), 6-2, 6-4

5. Jennifer Stevens (UVA) def. Monica Gorny (DU) 6-1, 6-1

6. Mary Clayton (DU) def. Maria Fuccillo (UVA) 6-4, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. #42 Ellah Nze/Amanda Granson (DU) def. #65 Hana Tomljanovic/Jennifer Stevens (UVA) 9-7

2. #44 Lindsey Hardenbergh/Erin Vierra (UVA) def. Mary Clayton/Monica Gorny (DU) 8-3

3. #58 Reka Zsilinszka/Elizabeth Plotkin (DU) def. Emily Fraser/Maria Fuccillo (UVA) 9-7