​CHARLESTON, SC — The NJIT women's tennis team dropped a narrow 4-3 decision to Charleston Southern on Wednesday afternoon in women's tennis Big South Conference action at the Gary Clark Banks Sr. Tennis Center.

NJIT (10-4) showed strength at the top of the singles lineup, capturing victories at positions one through three, but Charleston Southern (6-7) used a doubles point and a sweep of the bottom three singles courts to secure the comeback win.

"It was a strong performance today against an accomplished CSU team," said head coach Patricia Piorkowski McDonald.  "Competing in our first outdoor match of the season, our seniors showed great poise in singles.  Although we didn't come away with the win, it's a performance we can build on moving forward."

Charleston Southern claimed the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3. The duo of Carle Botha and Amike Botha defeated Paula Menendez Alvarez and Feyza Aydin, 6-2, at the second position, while Brenda Yoris and Camila Molina secured a 6-2 victory over Petra Koszo and Diana Fernandes at No. 3. The No. 1 doubles match featuring Laura Wipfli and Irene Cocero was left unfinished at 5-4.

In singles play, Amike Botha put Charleston Southern ahead 2-0 with a 7-5, 6-0 win over Lusia Hepcal Barcan at No. 6.

At No. 1, Wipfli controlled play throughout earning an identical score victory 6-2, 6-2 over Marina Skegro. 

Carle Botha put the Buccaneers on the board with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Asima Sazan at No. 4 spot.

Cocero dominated at No. 3 with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Carlota Farres while Menendez Alvarez followed with a strong performance at No. 2, defeating Brenda Yoris 6-3, 7-5.

The match tightened at No. 5, where Camila Molina rallied after dropping the opening set to defeat Petra Koszo 4-6, 7-5, 6-0. 

Next Up
NJIT will look to bounce back in its next outing as the Highlanders continue their spring trip and visit Presbyterian on Thursday at 2pm.

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