Feb. 14, 1998

#15 Notre Dame Women's Tennis Edges #12 Tennessee, 5-4, to Remain Unbeaten

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- In a battle between two top 15 programs, the 15th-ranked University of Notre Dame women's tennis team edged out #12 Tennessee 5-4 to remain unbeaten as the Irish improved to 4-0 on the season.

The match was decided at number three doubles when junior Kelly Olson and sophomore Kelly Zalinski pulled out a tie breaker to win their match 9-8 over Whitney Dill and Erin Lowrey. Freshman Michelle Dasso and junior Marisa Velasco also picked up a win at second doubles when they beat Candi Reid and Megan Russell 8-1.

The singles portion of the match ended with each team winning three matches. Jennifer Hall won her match at number one singles as she beat Manish Malhota 7-6, 6-4. Dasso was a winner at third singles as she defeated Whitney Dill in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, while Zalinski prevailed at number five singles with a straight-set victory over Russell 6-0, 6-1.

With the loss Tennessee falls to 3-2 on the season.

Notre Dame returns to action tomorrow, Sunday, February 15 at 10:00 a.m. when the Irish host Boston College.

Match Results

Singles:
No. 1   Jennifer Hall (ND) def. Manisha  Malhotra (UT)      7-6, 6-4
No. 2   Margie Lepsi (UT) def. Marisa Velasco (ND)          6-7, 6-2, 6-4
No. 3   Michelle Dasso (ND) def. Whitney Dill (UT)          6-3, 6-4
No. 4   Erin Lowery (UT) def. Tiffany Gates (ND)            6-3. 6-4
No. 5   Kelly Zalinski (ND) def. Megan Russell (UT)         6-0, 6-1
No. 6   Vinnie Seiverling (UT) def. Kelley Olson (ND)       6-3, 6-3
Doubles:
No. 1   Lepsi/Malhotra (UT) def. Gates/Hall (ND)            8-4
No. 2   Dasso/Velasco (ND) def. Russell/Candi Reid          8-1
No. 3   Olson/Zalinski (ND) def. Dill/Lowrey                9-8