WEST WINSOR, N.J. - The LIU Brooklyn women's tennis team downed the three-time defending Northeast Conference champions Saturday morning in their bid for an NEC Championship title, as LIU beat Fairleigh Dicksinon, 4-2 in the semifinals at the Mercer County Tennis Center.
The Blackbirds won the doubles point, in what would prove to be a crucial point for the team. FDU forfeited in the No.3 spot, giving LIU a leg up. At No.2, the Knights took a win from senior Nancy Zonneveld and junior Caroline Koenigsfeldt, 8-3, evening up the score. But senior Sanne Louwers and sophomore Marine Dans clinched the point for LIU, taking a win from Mariya Krachok and Gisela Castany in the No.1 spot, 8-4.
Up 1-0 heading into singles, the Blackbirds got another point when the Knights forfeited at No.6 singles. LIU got the last two points from senior Nancy Zonneveld, who beat Alex Bryant at No.5, 6-3, 6-3, and sophomore Marine Dans, who had a win at No.2. Dans beat Shreya Pasricha, 6-4, 6-4, to clinch the win for LIU.
FDU had wins in the Nos. 3 and 4 spots, where Castany beat Koenigsfeldt, 6-0, 6-4, and Krachok beat Isabella Wagener, 6-0. 6-2. Louwers' match at No.1 singles was ceased when the match was clinched. Louwers was up in the second set against Nicole Chis, 4-6, 3-2 when it was called.
With the win, LIU advances to its' second-straight Northeast Conference tournament finals. The Blackbirds will take on No.2 seed Bryant at 9 a.m.
#1 LIU Brooklyn 4, #5 Fairleigh Dickinson 2
Doubles
1. Sanne Louwers/Marine Dans (LIU) def. Mariya Krachok/Gisela Castany (FDU) 8-4
2. Nicole Chis/Shreya Pasricha (FDU) def. Caroline Koenigsfeldt/Nancy Zonneveld (LIU) 8-3
3. Isabella Wagener/Brittany Thompson (LIU) def. No player/No player (FDU), by default
Singles
1. Sanne Louwers (LIU) vs. Nicole Chis (FDU) 4-6, 3-2, unfinished
2. Marine Dans (LIU) def. Shreya Pasricha (FDU) 6-4, 6-4
3. Gisela Castany (FDU) def. Caroline Koenigsfeldt (LIU) 6-0, 6-4
4. Mariya Krachok (FDU) def. Isabella Wagener (LIU) 6-0, 6-2
5. Nancy Zonneveld (LIU) def. Alex Bryant (FDU) 6-3, 6-3
6. Brittany Thompson (LIU) def. No player (FDU), by default
Match Notes:
2015 NEC Women's Tennis Championships - Semifinals - Match #8