BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn women's tennis team suffered a pair of losses over the weekend to Bryant and Seton Hall, as the Blackbirds continued Northeast Conference play and non-conference competition.
After a repeat matchup of last year's NEC championship match on Friday, LIU fell to Bryant, 6-1. The Bulldogs were pegged in the preseason to finish first in the NEC.
In doubles, the duo of Anna Grigoryan and Caroline Koenigsfeldt continued recent success, defeating the Bulldogs' pair of Marion Bouillin and Ryan Brown, 7-5. But despite tough play in the No. 2 and 3 spots, the Blackbirds dropped the next two sets, as the Bulldogs took the point.
LIU earned their sole point of the day in the No. 1 singles spot, as Anna Grigoryan took down Ryan Brown of Bryant, 7-6 (5), 6-2.
"Anna at No. 1 singles is really starting to find her stride and is really dominating now," head coach Rose Ketmayura said.
Despite a second 5-2 loss on Saturday, the Blackbirds continued tough doubles play in the match against Seton Hall, dominating the No. 2 and No. 3 sets and earning the doubles point.
Malin Leysen and Isabella Wagener earned a victory in the No. 2 set over Julia Keenan and Katie Kim of Seton Hall, 7-5. Rianne van Son and Meriam Rhallab continued that success and took the No. 3 spot, 6-3, over the Pirates' duo of Isabell Klingert and Thandy Kangwa.
"We played great in doubles," Ketmayrua praised about the Seton Hall matchup. "We are still improving and doing so quickly."
Grigoryan once again earned the sole point in singles play after dominating the No. 1 spot over Luize Strike, 6-3, 6-3.
In No. 2 singles, Koenigsfeldt maintained a 3-1 lead in the first set, and a 4-1 lead in the second. But Hannah Liljekvist of Seton Hall powered through from behind, taking the set.
"The hard work and tough learning experiences are paying off," Ketmayura said.
The Blackbirds will be conclude regular season competition this weekend, competing at Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday, April 9 and at Wagner on Sunday, April 10.
LIU Brooklyn 1, Bryant 6
Doubles
1. Anna Grigoryan/Caroline Koenigsfeldt (LIU) def. Marion Bouillin/Ryan Brown (BU), 7-5
2. Ashanti Campfield/Nina Luiggi (BU) def. Malin Leysen/Isabella Wagener (LIU), 7-5
3. Stefanie Arroyo/Briana Leonard (BU) def. Rianne van Son/Meriam Rhallab (LIU), 6-4
Singles
1. Grigoryan (LIU) def. Brown (BU), 7-6 (5), 6-2
2. Linnea Sjoberg (BU) def. Koenigsfeldt (LIU), 6-2, 6-2
3. Bouillin (BU) def. Leysen (LIU), 6-1, 6-4
4. Luiggi (BU) def. van Son (LIU), 6-4, 6-4
5. Campfield (BU) def. Rhallab (LIU), 7-5, 7-5
6. Arroyo (BU) def. Wagener (LIU), 6-4, 6-3
LIU Brooklyn 2, Seton Hall 5
Doubles
1. Hannah Liljekvist/Luize Strike (SHU) def. Grigoryan/Koenigsfeldt, 7-5
2. Leysen/Wagener (LIU) def. Julia Keenan/ Katie Kim (SHU), 7-5
3. van Son/Rhallab (LIU) def. Isabell Klingert/Thandy Kangwa (SHU), 6-3
Singles
1. Grigoryan (LIU) def. Strike (SHU), 6-3, 6-3
2. Liljekvist (SHU) def. Koenigsfeldt (LIU), 6-4, 6-4
3. Anicka Fajnorova (SHU) def. Leysen (LIU), 6-3, 6-3
4. Klingert (SHU) def. van Son (LIU), 6-4, 7-5
5. Keenan (SHU) def. Rhallab (LIU), 6-3, 6-1
6. Kim (SHU) def. Wagener (LIU), 6-3, 6-2