Tennis Tops Cincinnati, 4-3

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. Sophomore Denise Liebschner (Weinboehla, Germany) and junior Danielle Viola (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) battled through injury to help the Seton Hall women’s tennis team best Cincinnati, 4-3. The Pirates improve to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in the BIG EAST.

Liebschner won in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) in No. 1 singles, while Viola had to rally after dropping her first set, 2-6, to win, 6-3, 6-2 in the second and third. Both players were hurt during yesterday’s match against West Virginia and were forced to retire.

Senior Nadezhda Shein (Tallinn, Estonia) lost her first set in a tie-break, but came on strong, topping Jennifer Keiner, 6-3, 6-2, the rest of the way.

In the deciding match, freshman Slavina Kaplonska (Sofia, Bulgaria) was victorious in No. 6 singles, 6-3, 6-1.

The four singles wins was enough to take the match, despite Seton Hall being swept in doubles play.

The Pirates will face Army on Tuesday, March 18 in West Point, N.Y. at 2:00 p.m.

SETON HALL 4, CINCINNATI 3

Singles

1. Denise Liebschner (SHU) def. Alizee Paradis (UC), 6-4, 6-4

2. Nadezhda Shein (SHU) def. Jennifer Keiner (UC), 6-7 (4), 6-0, 6-2

3. Danielle Viola (SHU) def. Jenny Rowen (UC), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

4. Valeryia Dandik (UC) def. Amanda El-Tobgy (SHU), 6-4, 6-3

5. Jenny Rowen (UC) def. Belfin Sunbul (SHU), 7-6 (4), 6-2, 3-6, 10-8

6. Slavina Kaplanska (SHU) def. Abigail Mayo, 6-3, 6-1

Doubles