March 24, 2005

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Sophomore Leighann Reilly (Voorhees, N.J.) came from one set down to win her No. 3 singles match, but it was the lone victory for the Wildcats as they fell to Lehigh, 6-1, on Wednesday afternoon at the Lewis Tennis Center. With the loss, Villanova drops to 4-6 on the season, while the Mountain Hawks improve to 7-5.

Lehigh took the early lead with three doubles victories. Alexis Jacobi and Starr Foster notched an 8-6 win in first doubles over sophomore Candice Carlin (Moorestown, N.J.) and senior Courtney Flezzani (Pfafftown, N.C.), while Gwen Dwyer and Maria Anorga defeated Reilly and senior Melissa Reed (Wyomissing, Pa.). Senior Morgan Flezzani (Pfafftown, N.C.) and junior Lindsey Puchyr (Allentown, Pa.) fell at No. 3 doubles to Lindsay Long and Ashley Donohue.

Lehigh went on to win five of the six singles matches. Reilly defeated Maria Anorga, 2-6, 7-5, 7-5.

Villanova immediately returns to action, as it hosts George Mason on Thursday at 3 p.m.

Lehigh 6, Villanova 1
Doubles

1. Foster and Jacobi (LU) def. Carlin and C. Flezzani (V) (8-6)
2. Dwyer and Angora (LU) def. Reed and Reilly (V) (8-3)
3. Long and Donohue (LU) def. M. Flezzani and Puchyr (V) (8-5)

Singles

Gwen Dwyer (LU) def. Candice Carlin (V) 6-2, 6-3
Alexis Jacobi (LU) def. Courtney Flezzani (V) 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-4
Leighann Reilly (V) def. Maria Anorga (LU) 1-6, 6-3, 7-5
Lindsay Long (LU) def. Morgan Flezzani (V) 6-2, 6-2
Starr Foster (LU) def. Zoe Murray (V) 6-2, 6-1
Cessa Murasko-Blank (LU) def. Taryn Cappellini (V) 8-1