No. 6 Duke Women Advance to Quarterfinals

Friday, February 18

Charlottesville, Va.

12:30 PM

Duke University

Tennessee

Women's Tennis Travels to Puerto Rico for Two Matches

No. 6 Duke Women Advance to Quarterfinals

2/18/2011 8:29:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

Charlottesville, Va. - The Duke women's tennis team took down Tennessee in the opening round of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Team Indoor Championship 4-1. The Blue Devils will face-off with ACC foe Virginia tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. (EST).

Duke dropped the doubles point for the third match in a row and came storming back in singles to win four matches that led to the win.

The Volunteers jumped out to the early 1-0 lead after taking the doubles point in stellar fashion. Tennessee routed the Blue Devils at the number one and three positions 8-1 in both matches.

Despite being down early, Duke came out firing on all cylinders in singles action to get the come from behind win for the second time this season. Senior Ellah Nze got the Blue Devils rolling early with a straight set win at the number three spot over Maria Sorbello, 6-1, 6-0.

After Nze tied the match at 1-1 with the win, the No. 6 Blue Devils never looked back and won three straight singles matches. Mary Clayton was next to walk off the courts with another straight set win over Whitney Wofford - 6-1, 6-3 - that gave Duke the 2-1 advantage.

Rachel Kahan continued to provide the Blue Devils with an edge, as she extended her win streak to seven matches and remains undefeated in singles action this season. Kahan defeated Millie Nichols in straight sets and has now won six out of seven matches with a straight set decision.

With the Blue Devils leading the Volunteers 3-1, three matches still remained on courts one, two and four. Senior Elizabeth Plotkin sealed the win for Duke from the number four spot with a 7-6 (10-8), 6-1, victory.

Duke (7-1) advanced to the quarterfinals for the second straight year and will face Virginia. The Cavaliers defeated No. 3 Baylor 4-3, and gave Baylor its first loss of the year. The Blue Devils and the Cavaliers are meeting for the 55th time, with Duke holding a 50-4 all-time series advantage. Virginia is currently the No. 23 team in the nation and is a perfect 7-0 this season.

Live stats will be available on GoDuke.com, and all of the latest news and results from the 2011 ITA National Team Indoor Championship can be found at VirginiaSports.com.

-d-u-k-e-

#6 Duke 4, #11 Tennessee 1
Feb. 18, 2011 at Boar's Head Sports Club (Charlottesville, Va.)

Singles competition

1. #38 Nadine Fahoum (DU) vs. #39 Natalie Pluskota (TENN) 4-6, 6-0, 4-4, unfinished

2. #9 Reka Zsilinszka (DU) vs. Rosalia Alda (TENN) 2-6, 7-6 (7-2), 1-0, unfinished

3. #48 Ellah Nze (DU) def. Maria Sorbello (TENN) 6-1, 6-0

4. #86 Elizabeth Plotkin (DU) def. Kata Szekely (TENN) 7-6 (10-8), 6-1

5. #57 Rachel Kahan (DU) def. Millie Nichols (TENN) 6-0, 7-5

6. #42 Mary Clayton (DU) def. Whiney Wofford (TENN) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. #48 Natalie Pluskota/Millie Nichols (TENN) def. Ellah Nze/Monica Gorny (DU) 8-1

2. Nadine Fahoum/Hanna Mar (DU) vs. Rosalia Alda/Maria Sorbello (TENN) 5-6, unfinished

3. Jennifer Meredith/Kata Szekely (TENN) def. Elizabeth Plotkin/Reka Zsilinszka (DU) 8-1