OCEAN. N.J. ? Taking all three doubles matches, the Monmouth University women's tennis team defeated La Salle, 5-2, on Tuesday afternoon in Ocean, N.J. In the first game of their three game home stand, six Hawks posted points in the match to help improve MU's overall record to 5-13 on the season while the Explorers fell to 1-10.
Senior Kaitlin Gallagher (North Haledon, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) opened up scoring for the Blue and White on the afternoon when she cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 second singles victory over La Salle's Gomez. Posting a point at third singles win was freshman Jessica Slinger (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) who improved her overall singles record to 9-11 with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over the Explorers' Rice.
Monmouth took the last two points at fifth and sixth singles when junior Diane Washer (Ogdensburg, N.J./Wallkill Valley Regional) defeated La Salle's Wilkins, 6-1, 6-0 at fifth singles and sophomore Kelly Friedrich (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) posted her first victory of the spring at sixth singles with a 6-3, 6-2 win over the Explorers' Acilio.
The Hawks produced a flawless effort in doubles action as all three pairs soundly defeated their opponents for the much needed doubles point. The duo of Gallagher and senior Sarah Ragan (Lanoka Harbor, N.J./Lacey Township) provided the initial spark at first doubles with their 8-2 win. The Slinger/Washer pair followed up with an 8-1 victory at second doubles while team of sophomore Katie Tierney (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) and senior Kristen Hoffmann (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) provided the exclamation point in doubles action with their 8-4 triumph in third doubles.
Coach Patrice Murray's squad now pushed their home record to 2-4 with its last home victory coming on October 1st, 2008 when they overpowered NEC foe, Wagner, 7-0.
The Blue and White return to action this afternoon when they host the second of three straight home matches, when Maryland-Eastern Shore comes in for a 2:00 pm competition in Lincroft, N.J.
