For Immediate Release: April 20, 2005
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Binghamton women's tennis closes regular season with 7-0 win over Albany

Photos

VESTAL, N.Y.--Sophomore Zeynep Altinay (Antayla, Turkey) won her 14th straight match at No. 1 singles and freshmen Jenn Naegeli (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) and Alyssa Freeman (Atlantic Beach, N.Y.) each won super tiebreakers, leading Binghamton (14-5, 4-0 AE) to a 7-0 win over Albany (7-12, 1-4 AE) in an America East Conference women's tennis match Wednesday afternoon at the West Gym Courts. The victory is the ninth straight for the Bearcats.

One year after going 5-11 overall, the Bearcats continue to post the biggest one-year improvement in their 33-year history. Three times before this season, Binghamton had improved by four wins in a season, the most recent of which came two years ago (12-11 to 16-8). The 16 wins during the 2002-03 campaign is also the school record, which this year's team can match with two more triumphs

"This was a great way to end the regular season and we are looking forward to the conference championships," head coach Mike Stevens said. "Even though we had a close, tough win over Bucknell yesterday, we knew that today was an important match against a conference opponent."

Altinay defeated Courtney Michels 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles to improve her record to 28-4 for the season. In dual matches alone, she is 17-1. Naegeli defeated Amanda Hall at No. 4 singles 6-2, 4-6 (10-8) while Freeman won 6-2, 4-6 (10-1) at No. 5 singles over Kim Westcott. Freeman has now won seven straight matches and is 17-11 for the season.

The 2005 America East Championships will be held at the Connecticut Tennis Center April 29-May 1. The seedings will be determined by a coaches' vote next Wednesday. Binghatmon tied for third last season, was second in 2003 and third in 2002.

Binghamton 7, Albany 0

SINGLES

Zeynep Altinay (B) def. Courtney Michels (A) 6-1, 6-0
Jelena Koprivica (B) def. Christina Suarez (A) 6-3, 6-2
Lya Kushnirovich (B) def. Aimee Kern (A) 6-2, 6-2
Jenn Naegli (B) def. Amanda Hall (A) 6-2, 4-6 (10-8)
Alyssa Freeman (B) def. Kim Westcott (A) 6-2, 4-6 (10-1)
Vera Popova (B) def. Lisa Fund (A) 6-2, 6-1

DOUBLES

Koprivica & Naegelli (B) def. Michels & Kern (A) 8-0
Altinay and Freeman (B) def. Hall & Westcott (A) 8-0
Kushnirovich and Popova (B) def. Saurez & Kyle Steller (A) 8-1

Binghamton is 14-5 (4-0 AE)
Albany is 7-12 (1-4 AE)