Box Score

Brooklyn, NY---The Brooklyn College Women's Tennis Team (6-5, 4-3 CUNYAC) earned a key conference win on Columbus Day as they came from behind to defeat Lehman College (7-7, 6-3 CUNYAC) 5-4.

The Lightning struck first, capturing two of three doubles matches to begin play.  Brooklyn was able to salvage a win at the #2 flight as Maria Sanz (Bishop Ford / Brooklyn, NY) and Diana Derks (Herlong / Frankfurt, Germany) teamed up to down Lehman's Daraliz Collado (St. Vincent Ferrer / Bronx, NY) and Alexandria Reel (Fredrick Douglass Academy / New York, NY) 8-1.

The Bulldogs battled back from the 2-1 deficit with some outstanding individual efforts in singles play.  Norma Chabott (Magen David Yeshiva / Brooklyn, NY), Diana Rafailova (James Madison / Brooklyn, NY) and Gianna Gelosi (North Babylon / North Babylon, NY) each made quick work of their singles opponents.

Chabott knocked off Krystina Nguyen (Maria Regina / Yonkers, NY) 6-0, 6-2 in their #3 singles showdown, while Rafailova, playing #5 singles, defeated Ashley Cox (Fashion Industries / Bronx, NY) 6-3, 6-2.

Gelosi, who was matched up with Dalia Rodriguez (Fashion Industries / Bronx, NY) at #6 singles, cruised to the 6-1, 6-2 decision.

Lehman took the #4 singles match as Collado topped Derks 6-3, 6-2, making the overall score 4-3 in favor of Brooklyn with #1 and #2 singles yet to be completed. 

Sanz, who squeaked out a first set over Natalee Smith (Harry S. Truman / Bronx, NY) in their #2 match, 7-6 (7-4), trailed 3-0 in the second set as the focus of the match turned to her.

Sanz stepped up to the pressure as she came back to tie the set at five, and then pulled away, winning the final two games to claim the 7-5 victory.  The win put her team ahead 5-3 and sealed the match for the Bulldogs.

Coach Ahmad Odetalla was thrilled with the victory, saying, "This was by far our biggest win of the season."  

A big win it was as it bolstered the squad to a winning record in conference play going into tomorrow's road match-up against 6-1 Staten Island.  That match will be played on the campus of CSI beginning at 3:30 pm.