March 23, 2005

TAMPA, Fla. - Juniors Jenny Kuehn and Julie Smekodub each claimed a singles victory and paired for the win at No. 2 doubles as the No. 21 Tulane women's tennis team defeated Conference USA foe South Florida, 5-2, Wednesday afternoon in Tampa.

Singles matches were played prior to the doubles contests due to the threat of rain in the area.

After dropping her first set at No. 1 singles, Kuehn, the No. 51 singles player in the nation, battled back to take the match in three sets over USF's Neyessa Etienne, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5. Smekodub, meanwhile, recorded her 13th win of the year with 6-3, 6-3 victory over Gabriela Duch on court three. At the fifth spot, sophomore Darya Ivanov rolled to a 6-2, 6-0 win against Luisa Obando, improving her record to 18-8 on the year.

In doubles play, Kuehn and Smekodub, ranked 29th in this week's ITA poll, rallied from a 4-1 deficit to defeat Vernon and Obando, 8-5 at No. 2. On the first court, the Bulls team of Duch/Etienne, ranked No. 52, upset Tulane's No. 37 duo of Maria and Darya Ivanov, 8-3.

"USF had only five players and defaulted matches at No. 6 singles and third doubles. They are down a player, but they are still a good team," head coach David Schumacher said. "We had some very good wins today, Julie (Smekodub) beat a girl that played No. 1 for them last year in a rather convincing fashion. Jenny (Kuehn) also played well, coming back to win in three sets, and Darya (Ivanov) played a very solid match at No. 5 singles."

With its fifth straight win, the Green Wave moves to 13-5 on the season while the Bulls fall to 4-4.

Tulane returns to action on April 2, taking on No. 16 Washington in Seattle. The Green Wave returns to Goldring Tennis Center on April 13, hosting LSU at 5 p.m.

No. 21 Tulane 5, No. 58 USF 2
USF Varsity Tennis Courts Tampa, Fla.

Doubles
1. No. 52 Duch/Etienne (USF) def. No. 37 Ivanov/Ivanov (TU): 8-3
2. No. 29 Smekodub/Kuehn (TU) def. Vernon/Obando (USF): 8-5
3. USF Default, Tulane Point

Singles
1. No. 51 Jenny Kuehn (TU) def. Neyessa Etienne (USF): 2-6, 6-2, 7-5
2. Courtney Vernon (USF) def. Maria Ivanov (TU): 6-3, 6-1
3. No. 96 Julie Smekodub (TU) def. Gabriela Duch (USF): 6-3, 6-3
4. Liz Cruz (USF) def. No. 67 Nancy Kockott (TU): 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4
5. Darya Ivanov (TU) def. Luisa Obando (USF): 6-2, 6-0
6. USF Default, Tulane Point