WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University women's tennis team fell to visiting Manhattan College, 4-3, Sunday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action at the MU Tennis Courts. The Hawks, who for the third consecutive match took the doubles point, fall to 1-2 (1-2 MAAC) on the year, while the Jaspers improve to 2-1 (2-1 MAAC).
Despite senior Brooke Verdiglione (Englishtown, N.J./St. John Vianney) and junior Farrah Smoke (Spring Lake Heights, N.J./Manasquan (Brookdale C.C.) dropping their first dual doubles match of the season, both the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams picked up where they left off. Ashley Sandler (Jericho, N.Y./Syosset) and Chioma Gabriel defeated Salua Pizano and Alyssa Rosello, 8-5, while Kendal Kauffman (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) and Robyn Belen (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) also scored an 8-5 win over Caitlin Bricketto and Catherine Clark.
Kauffman and Gabriel both picked up their third dual match single victories of the season. Playing No. 4, Kauffman cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Pizano, while, at No. 5, Gabriel defeated Rosello 6-4, 6-4 to remain unbeaten in singles play. Smoke nearly gave the Blue and White the league victory, rallying to take the second set, but ultimately fell 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to her No. 3 singles counterpart, Bricketto.
MU returns to action on Wednesday, October 2nd, to take on Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Conn. First serve is slated for 3 p.m.
Tennis Match Results
Manhattan vs Monmouth
Sep 29, 2013 at West Long Branch, N.J.
Manhattan 4, Monmouth 3
Singles competition
1. Turano, Brianna (MAN-W) def. Verdiglione, Brooke (MU-W) 6-1, 6-0
2. Leon, Gabriella (MAN-W) def. Sandler, Ashley (MU-W) 6-4, 6-1
3. Bricketto, Caitlin (MAN-W) def. Smoke, Farrah (MU-W) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
4. Kauffman, Kendal (MU-W) def. Pizano, Salua (MAN-W) 6-0, 6-1
5. Gabriel, Chioma (MU-W) def. Rosello, Alyssa (MAN-W) 6-4, 6-4
6. Clark, Catherine (MAN-W) def. Belen, Robyn (MU-W) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Turano, Brianna/Leon, Gabriella (MAN-W) def. Verdiglione, Brooke/Smoke, Farrah (MU-W) 8-6
2. Sandler, Ashley/Gabriel, Chioma (MU-W) def. Pizano, Salua/Rosello, Alyssa (MAN-W) 8-5
3. Kauffman, Kendal/Belen, Robyn (MU-W) def. Bricketto, Caitlin/Clark, Catherine (MAN-W) 8-5
