The College at Brockport women's tennis team opened up their 2013 campaign with a 5-4 victory on the road at St. John Fisher. Freshman Elizabeth O'Rourke (Camden, NY/Camden) and Sophomore Natasha Hale (Ballston Lake, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) came up big to help the Golden Eagles start the season on a high note.
"This was one of our best starts to a season," said Head Coach Ben Klempka. "The girls worked hard and never gave up."
The Cardinals got out on top first with an 8-5 win to start doubles. Brockport answered right back to take the lead. Hale and Amy Kurmis (East Rochester, NY/East Rochester) defeated Lauren Burke and Abbey Buscaglia to tie things up. Nicole DeRose (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena) and Sam Malak (Clinton, NY/Clinton) stepped up and helped Brockport take the lead with an 8-3 victory over Rosalie O'Brien and Catie Nonemacher.
The singles matches went back and forth. Hale had an extremely strong win against Sania Zaki. Hale came from behind 0-6 in the first set and went on to defeat Zaki 6-4 and 6-3 for the point. The Cardinals answered back with two wins, but Rachel Lamont (Bloomfield. NY/Honeoye) and O'Rourke sealed the overall win with two victories of their own. Lamont defeated O'Brien 6-3 and 6-2, while O'Rourke battled Nonemacher in the first set 7-6 and finished things off with a 6-2 decision.
"Everybody looked solid today," said Coach Klempka. "Especially Natasha and Elizabeth, they really proved themselves."
The Golden Eagles return to action on Wednesday for their home opener against Alfred. Game time is set for 4:00 pm.
Brockport 5, St. John Fisher 4
Doubles
Katie Paiser/Sania Zaki (Fisher) def. Lauren Bohma/Rachel Lamont (Brockport), 8-5
Natasha Hale/Amy Kurmis (Brockport) def. Lauren Burke/Abbey Buscaglia (Fisher), 8-6
Nicole DeRose/Same Malak (Brockport) def. Rosalie O'Brien/Catie Nonemacher (Fisher), 8-3
Singles
Katie Paiser (Fisher) def. Lauren Bohman (Brockport), 2-6, 3-6
Natasha Hale (Brockport) def. Sania Zaki (Fisher), 0-6, 6-4, 6-3
Abbey Buscaglia (Fisher) def. Sam Malak (Brockport), 6-0, 6-4
Lauren Burke (Fisher) def. Amy Kurmis (Brockport), 6-2, 0-6, 6-4
Rachel Lamont (Brockport) def. Rosalie O'Brien (Fisher), 6-3, 6-2
Elizabeth O'Rourke (Brockport) def. Catie Nonemacher (Fisher), 7-6, 6-2
Exhibition
Doubles
Elizabeth O'Rourke/Brittany Wojtal (Brockport) def. Alissa Cornacchia/Taylor Duquette (Fisher), 8-3
Singles
Eileen Fleming (Fisher) def. Victoria Pignato (Brockport), 5-8
