TENNIS: SU Defeats Buffalo 6-1

By Brittany Ehrlich

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse’s women’s tennis team took down Buffalo 6-1 Saturday afternoon at its home opener. The Orange started the season with five straight road games and lost four of them.

The players were happy to finally be playing on their own court and seeing the crowd in their favor.

“It’s definitely motivating,” said sophomore Gabriela Knutson. “I love playing at home. We all feel all the love and support from the fans.”

Knutson plays number one in doubles and singles for the Orange, and came out with two victories.

Her partner, freshman Miranda Ramirez, was very excited to play her first match at Drumlins Country Club.

“This was my first match and I loved it,” said Ramirez. “I fed off the energy and I loved every bit of it. I was really happy and relaxed. I feel I played some of my best tennis.”

The players weren’t the only ones happy to be back in ‘Cuse: SU’s coach Younes Limam also reiterated he was excited to be back at Drumlins.

“It’s nice to get that first W at home,” said Limam.

In doubles, Knutson and Ramirez, won their match 6-3. At number two in doubles, Nicole Mitchell and Dina Hegab lost their match 6-3.

Buffalo began a comeback midway through the number three match, but Maria Tritou and Anna Shkudon held on to win 7-5.

In singles, Syracuse only lost one match. Knutson (6-2,6-0) at first singles, Ramirez (6,0, 6-3) at second singles, and Libi Mesh (7-5, 6-1) at fifth singles all won in two sets. Three games including Maria Tritou (6-2,6-3,1-0) at third singles, Dina Hegab (6-7, 6-2, 1-0) at fourth singles, and Nicole Mitchell (1-6, 6-2, 3-6) all went to three sets.

Syracuse started the season with a win against Yale University, but then lost four straight to Columbia University, Mississippi State, Denver, and Virginia.

The Orange play again tomorrow against Brown University at 11 A.M. at Drumlins Country Club. Brown currently has a record of 3-1 with wins over Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Boston College.