SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Jessup University women's tennis hit the road on Friday morning for a PacWest conference matchup against Dominican University of California, 7-0.
The morning began with doubles play, where the Warriors started at an early disadvantage due to a walkover at the No. 3 flight. In the No. 2 slot, Rylie Maloney and Maria Antonella Cardenas took the court but dropped their match to Dominican, 6-2. The No. 1 doubles match featuring Jessup's top duo of Briana Smith and Giselli Reschke was left unfinished, with the Warriors battling at a 4-2 deficit when the doubles point was officially secured by the home team.
Moving into singles action, the Penguins' depth was on full display as the Warriors were forced to concede the No. 6 slot. Despite the uphill battle, several Warriors put up gritty performances and pushed their opponents across the lineup.
At No. 3 singles, senior Rylie Maloney highlighted the afternoon by providing fierce resistance in the middle of the lineup. After dropping the opening frame, Maloney pushed her opponent to the absolute limit in the second set before narrowly falling, 6-1, 7-5. Maria Antonella Cardenas also fought hard in the back half of the lineup at No. 5, taking multiple games in both sets before a 6-3, 6-2 defeat.
At the top of the lineup, Briana Smith competed well in the second set of her No. 1 flight but ultimately dropped her match to Deepalakshmi Vanaraja (6-0, 6-3). Giselli Reschke fell at No. 2 to Gavrilov (6-1, 6-0), while fifth-year veteran Danielle Akabane rounded out the action on the courts for the Warriors at No. 4, falling 6-0, 6-1.
The defeat moved Jessup to 0-10 on the season and 0-8 in conference play.
The Warriors will have a quick turnaround to regroup as they return home to Roseville this weekend. Jessup is scheduled to host a Sunday double-header on March 15, welcoming Chaminade University at 12:00 PM followed by California Lutheran University at 1:00 PM.
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About Jessup University Athletics Jessup University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Instagram & X).
