Lady Raider Tennis Falls to Slippery Rock, 6-3

April 13, 2006

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The Shippensburg University women's tennis team dropped a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division contest to Slippery Rock on Thursday at the Robb Sports Complex by a final of 6-3, ending the Lady Raiders' two-match winning streak.

The Lady Raiders fall to 5-7 overall and 1-3 in the PSAC West, while Slippery Rock improved to 14-6 on the season. The Rock has won five-straight matches and nine of its last 10, and with the victory over the Lady Raiders, they clinch a spot in the PSAC Championships, which are being held at Shippensburg.

For the Lady Raiders, senior Lina Pavilionyte (Vilnius, Lithuania/Vilnius Sv. Kristofer) earned a hard-fought, three-set victory in No. 1 singles over Kayla Blackburn, 7-6, 6-7. 10-8. With the win, Pavlilionyte improves to 8-2 on the season. Junior Nicole Perugini (Reading, Pa./Holy Name) notched a 6-0, 6-1 win over Kelli Parnell at No. 3 singles. Slippery Rock managed to pick up wins at No. 2, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 singles.

In doubles action, Slippery Rock's top team of Blackburn and Melinda Michaux knocked off the Lady Raiders No. 1 team of Pavilionyte and Perugini, 8-2. Slippery Rock also won 8-4 at No. 3 doubles. However, Shippensburg junior Melinda Meisel (Jersey Shore, Pa./Jersey Shore) and sophomore Karen Jensenius (York, Pa./Northeastern) defeated Kelli Parnell and Sarah Karagianis 8-2 at No. 2 doubles.

Today's match was the final PSAC Western Division match of the regular season for the Lady Raiders. However, they host Wilson College in a non-conference match-up on Wednesday, April 19 at 3 p.m.

Slippery Rock 6, Shippensburg 3

Singles
1. Lina Pavilionyte (SU) vs Kayla Blackburn (SRU) 7-6, 6-7, 10-8
2. Ashley Michaux (SRU) vs Melinda Meisel (SU) 6-2, 6-1
3. Nichole Perugini (SU) vs Kelli Parnell (SRU) 6-0, 6-1
4. Lara Rizz (SRU) vs Karen Jensenius (SU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
5. Sarah Karagianis (SRU) vs Allison Bollinger (SU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Erika McKenna (SRU) vs. Kristin Herman (SU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4

Doubles
1. Blackburn/ Michaux (SRU) vs Pavilionyte/Perugini (SU) 8-2
2. Jensenius/Meisel (SU) vs Parnell/ Karagianis (SRU) 8-2
3. Rizz/Rhoades (SRU) def. Herman/Katie Hoover (SU) 8-4

- Lady Raider Tennis -