PALMAS DEL MAR, Puerto Rico – The LIU Brooklyn women's tennis team recently wrapped up their Caribbean stay, and competition against three talented programs across all levels. In Puerto Rico the Blackbirds faced East Carolina, No. 40 Notre Dame and Armstrong State.

LIU's matchup in Palmas Del Mar against East Carolina was their first outdoor match of the season. The Blackbirds came up short, 4-0, after some matches were unfinished due to a clinch-style of play.

The Blackbirds took advantage of the Pirates troubled start, as freshman Anna Grigoryan battled tough with Celina Ruiz in the No. 1 singles spot. But Grigoryan eventually fell to Ruiz, 3-6, 3-2. Classmate Malin Leysen also put up a fight in the No. 3 spot, but fell to ECU's Nicole LaDuca, 6-3, 6-4. Junior Isabella Wagener closed out singles play at the No. 6 spot with a solid effort, but was defeated by Pirate Maria Gomez, 6-2, 6-5.

Both Leysen and Wagener fought tough in No. 2 doubles play, but came up short 4-3, to East Carolina's Sarah Sarjoo and Storozheva.

Two days later, LIU faced No. 40 Notre Dame. The Blackbirds suffered their second loss of the trip to the nationally ranked Fighting Irish, 7-0.

"We learned a lot by playing such a high-ranked team," head coach Rose Ketmayura said. "Things [we] have been talking about all season finally sunk in during and after the match."

Grigoryan, Caroline Koenigsfeldt and Leysen put up a valiant effort against the Fighting Irish in the No. 1, 2 and 3 single spots. But came up short to high-ranked individuals. Grigoryan fell to No. 44 Quinn Gleason, 6-1, 6-3. No. 53 Monica Robinson defeated Koenigsfeldt, 6-1, 6-2. While Leysen put up another tough fight, but fell to Allison Miller, 6-3, 6-3.

In their final match of the trip, LIU competed against Armstrong State, the No. 1 team and defending national champion at the Division II level. 

Upperclassmen Koenigsfeldt and Wagener showed their experience in both the No. 2 and 5 spot. But Koenigsfeldt fell to No. 1 ranked Cisneros, 7-5, 6-2, and Wagener fell to Alice Patch, 7-5, 6-3 after strong play.

"I'm really proud of how well they played and how we ended our spring break outdoor play," Ketmayura said. "It's new motivation, and the team is really starting to know how to work on the things that are needed to improve."

Up next, LIU will face Army in a final non-conference matchup before NEC play begins. The Blackbirds will travel to face the Black Knights on Thursday, March 24. The match start time is set for 3:00pm.


East Carolina 4, LIU Brooklyn 0

SINGLES
1. Celia Ruiz (ECU) vs. Anna Grigoryan (LIU) 3-6, 3-2, unfinished
2. Maria Storozheva (ECU) vs. Caroline Koenigsfeldt (LIU) 6-4, 5-0, unfinished
3. Nicole LaDuca (ECU) def. Malin Leysen (LIU) 6-3, 6-4
4. Michelle Castro (ECU) def. Rianne van Son (LIU) 6-2, 6-0
5. Katie Hoch (ECU) def. Meriam Rhallab (LIU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Maria Gomez (ECU) vs. Isabella Wagener (LIU) 6-2, 6-5, unfinished

DOUBLES
1. Celia Ruiz/Nicole LaDuca (ECU) def. Anna Grigoryan/Caroline Koenigsfeldt (LIU) 6-2
2. Sarah Sarjoo/Maria Storozheva (ECU) vs. Malin Leysen/Isabellla Wagener (LIU) 4-3, unfinished
3. Michelle Castro/Annija Veinsteina (ECU) def. Rianne van Son/Meriam Rhallab (LIU) 6-0


No. 40 Notre Dame 7, LIU Brooklyn 0

SINGLES
1. No. 44 Quinn Gleason (ND) def. Anna Grigoryan (LIU) 6-1, 6-3
2. No. 53 Monica Robinson (ND) def. Caroline Koenigsfeldt (LIU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Allison Miller (ND) def. Malin Leysen (LIU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Mary Closs (ND) def. Rianne van Son (LIU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Brooke Broda (ND) def. Meriam Rhallab (LIU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Rachel Chong (ND) def. Isabella Wagener (LIU) 6-1, 6-1

DOUBLES
1. No. 40 Quinn Gleason / Monica Robinson (ND) def. Anna Grigoryan / Caroline Koenigsfeldt (LIU) 6-1
2. Mary Closs / Julie Vrabel (ND) def. Malin Leysen / Isabella Wagener (LIU) 6-1
3. Brooke Broda / Jane Fennelly (ND) def. Rianne van Son / Meriam Rhallab (LIU) 6-0

Armstrong State 7, LIU Brooklyn 0

SINGLES
1. Lena Lutzeier (ASU) def. Anna Grigoryan (LIU) 6-2, 6-2.
2. Alejandra Cisneros (ASU) def. Caroline Koenigsfeldt (LIU) 7-5, 6-2
3. Carolina Prats-Millan (ASU) def. Malin Leyen (LIU) 6-3, 6-2.
4. Diana Stomlega (ASU) def. Meriam Rhallab (LIU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Lena Pacholski (ASU) def. Rianne van Son (LIU) 6-1, 6-1.
6. Alice Patch (ASU) def. Isabella Wagener (LIU) 7-5, 6-3.

DOUBLES
1. Lena Lutzeier / Diana Stomlega (ASU) def. Anna Grigoryan / Caroline Koenigsfeldt (LIU)
2. Alejandra Cisneros/ Carolina Prats-Millan (ASU) def. Malin Leysen / Isabella Wagener (LIU) 6-2
3. Nicole Fossa Huergo / Lena Pacholski (ASU) def. Rianne van Son / Meriam Rhallab (LIU) 6-1