April 6, 2005

Providence, R.I. - On Saturday, April 3 and Sunday, April 4 the Villanova women's tennis squad split their weekend of Big East play, shutting out the Providence Friars, 7-0, while falling to the Connecticut Huskies, 6-1. Villanova's record now sits at 6-9 overall and 1-2 in the Big East.

Providence's Sara Bitetti (Norwell, Mass.) and Carly Hoffend (Pittsford, N.Y.) were the only Friars to win a set against their Wildcat opponents, both evening out the score with second set victories at first and sixth singles, respectively. Their comeback efforts fell short though, as each was defeated in the third and final set.

In doubles play, the Wildcats held Providence winless as Candice Carlin (Moorestown, N.J.) and Courtney Flezzani (Pfafftown, N.C.) won their No. 1 match, 8-5. Morgan Flezzani (Pfafftown, N.C.) and Melissa Reed (Wyomissing won their No. 2 match, 8-3, and Leighann Reilly and Taryn Cappellini defeated their opponents, 8-6.

UConn's Jen LoRusso (Shoreham, N.Y.) battled Candice Carlin at No. 1 singles, but fell 3-6, 6-1, 7-5. That would be the only loss for the Huskies on the day as the team took care of the rest of the singles matches and swept through doubles.

Whitney Simcik (Reading, Pa.) and Barbara Schumsky (West Hartford, Conn.) both won in three sets, with Simcik topping Courtney Flezzani, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 at No. 2, and Schumsky winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 over Leighann Reilly at No. 3.

The Huskies then defeated Villanova in two sets at No. 4-6 as sophomores Christine Burek (Wheaton, Ill.), Liz Dibbs (Allentown, Pa.) and Ashley Petruzzi (Bradenton, Fla.) each registered wins. Burek defeated Morgan Flezzani, 6-3, 7-5 at No. 4 as Dibbs, at No. 5, topped Lindsey Puchyr, 6-1, 6-4. Petruzzi finished out the singles at No. 6, defeating Zoe Murray, 6-3, 6-0.

In doubles action, Simcik and Shumsky paired up at No. 1 to defeat Carlin and Courtney Flezzani, 9-7. The duos of LoRusso and Dibbs and Petruzzi and Burek won the next two matches each by scores of 8-6.

The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday, April 6, when they head to Seton Hall for a conference match up with the Pirates at 2:30 p.m.

Villanova 7, Providence 0

Singles
1) Candice Carlin (V) def. Sara Bitetti; 6-3, 2-6, (1-0)
2) Courtney Flezzani (V) def. Molly Gilbride; 6-4, 6-4
3) Leighann Reilly (V) def. Andrea Lee; 6-1, 6-2
4) Morgan Flezzani (V) def. Nicole Rodger; 6-1, 6-2
5) Lindsey Puchyr (V) def. Katherine Lyons; 6-1, 6-1
6) Zoe Murray (V) def. Carly Hoffend; 6-3, 3-6, 6-0

Doubles
1) Carlin/C.Flezzani (V) def. Bitetti/Gilbride; 8-5
2) M.Flezzani/Reed (V) def. Rodger/Christensen; 8-3
3) Reilly/Cappellini (V) def. Lee/Griffin; 8-6

Connecticut 6, Villanova 1

Singles
1. Candice Carlin def. Jen LoRusso, 3-6, 6-1, 7-5
2. Whitney Simcik def. Courtney Flezzani, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
3. Barbara Schumsky def. Leighann Reilly, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1
4. Christine Burek def. Morgan Flezzani, 6-3, 7-5
5. Liz Dibbs def. Lindsey Puchyr, 6-1, 6-4
6. Ashley Petruzzi def. Zoe Murray, 6-3, 6-0

Doubles
1. Simcik/Schumsky def. Carlin/C. Flezzani, 9-7
2. LoRusso/Dibbs def. M. Flezzani/Reed, 8-6
3. Petruzzi/Burek def. Reilly/Puchyr, 8-6