It is always difficult to take the stage following a flawless performance. On Sunday, women's tennis did not rise to the challenge after the men's consecutive 7-0, 7-0 victories the previous day against Army and Temple. Instead, the women barely escaped a shutout Sunday against Maryland (7-2 overall), ranked No. 60 in the nation.
At No. 5 singles, Freshman Susan Meng was the only Tiger to win a match. Part of the reason for Princeton's subpar performance may be that it was forced to compete without freshman Neha Uberoi, who has dominated at No. 2 singles with a 13-3 record so far this year.
Uberoi's shoulder had been bothering her in practice Saturday, but she did not know until Sunday morning that it would prevent her from being able to compete in the match.
Maryland started its season strong, winning its first five matches. The day before their contest with the Tigers, the Terrapins fell to Penn, only managing to take one game from the Tigers' Ivy League foe in their 6-1 loss. But even after Maryland's loss to Penn, Princeton was well aware of Maryland's strengths, and the Tigers needed to play with an entirely healthy team to beat the Terps.
Uberoi's absence forced head coach Louise Gengler to shift up the entire lineup, moving sophomore Stephanie Berg into the No. 2 singles spot. Senior co-captain Kavitha Krishnamurthy remained at No. 1, but she, too, was affected by the shuffle of positions in doubles.
Junior Mateya McCoy joined Krishnamurthy for the first time at No. 1 doubles, and Meng also teamed-up for the first time with junior Avantika Bhargava.
Bhargava said this was an opportunity for Gengler to experiment with new doubles teams — something she had wanted to try out.
"I thought Susan and I were pretty , but it was our first time playing together competitively," Bhargava said. "We would have had a much better shot at winning [had Uberoi played]. But having said that, we played great and we're all the better for it."
With nothing but losses on the scoreboard, Meng was the last Tiger remaining on the court to salvage the team's pride. Oblivious to Princeton's defeat, she kept fighting to the end and pulled through with a 7-6(2), 6-1 win.
"Actually, at that point I didn't know what the count was," Meng said. "Instead, I was just focused on winning my match for the team."
Krishnamurthy lost, 7-5, 6-1, and junior Jacqui Arcario fell, 6-4, 6-2, at No. 3 singles. Bhargava and McCoy had the closest matches, taking their opponents to three sets at No. 4 and No. 6 singles, respectively.
"If we had another chance to play them I think we would've done much better," Meng said, noting that Uberoi's absence was a crucial factor.
"If our lineup was full strength it could have been much closer," she said.
Going into the match, Princeton already trailed Maryland in the national rankings. Bhargava and Meng both said the loss did not dampen the Tigers' spirits and that coach Gengler was pleased with their performances.
With Uberoi temporarily injured, Meng was the only freshman competing Sunday. Additional freshmen who have been injured are expected to rejoin the starting lineup next weekend.
The Tigers look forward to next Sunday's home match against St. John's, who Princeton obliterated, 7-0, last year.
"We're not really disappointed," Bhargava said. "We did fight really hard. It wasn't a walkover or anything like that. It'll just make us stronger."
Read More
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Six for six: men’s and women’s track and field both complete triple crown
Luke StocklessMen’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Men’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Nation’s No. 2 miler Mena Scatchard ’25 to transfer to Stanford for graduate year
Luke StocklessThe Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
The Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.