Panthers avoid the shutout but lose to D-I Villanova 7-2

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women's tennis team avoided a shutout with two late singles victories as the Panthers fell to visiting Division I opponent Villanova University 7-2 on Tuesday afternoon at the Chapman Tennis Courts.

Senior Genna Ford and junior Kelley Klebenow rallied to earn straight sets wins from the fifth and sixth positions to keep Chapman (1-3) from being blanked by the Wildcats.

Villanova completed their three-match California trip with the win over the Panthers after sweeping doubles play, including a convincing 8-1 win on court No. 1 for Mikelle Mancini and Tori Smith over Chapman's own freshman Andrea Hammer and sophomore Sophia Duong.

The Wildcats then took care of business in the top four singles matches – all in straight sets – to lead 7-0.

For Klebenow it was her fourth consecutive singles win keeping her unbeaten this spring. She handed Villanova's Anne Cognetti a 6-1, 6-2 defeat to remain perfect from the No. 6 position in 2013. Ford was forced to work the hardest in her match, beating the Wildcats' Kate Pettee 7-5, 7-5 on the No. 5 court. The win was her second straight and first at home this year. She improved to 3-1 this spring.

Chapman lost for the third time in four matches this season and has dropped out of the Division III top-25 as of Tuesday's national poll from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

The Panthers will try to right the ship on Saturday when they take on SCIAC foe Occidental College at the Anaheim Hills Racquet Club beginning at 10 a.m.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wten/2012-13/files/vu-cu.htm

Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports
Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChapmanSports
#CUPanthers