Terps beat w. tennis, 6-1; Tigers fall to 1-4 on season

A tough schedule to open the season continues to take its toll on the women's tennis team's record. A 6-1 loss to No. 51 Maryland dropped the Tigers to 1-4 on the season. Despite last weekend's losses to Marshall and Penn State, the team remains confident.

"I actually felt really good after my match," freshman No. 1 Darcy Robertston said.

Robertson fell to Maryland's Emily Marker, 6-4, 6-0.

Princeton came out aggressive against the Terrapins and really went after its shots. Unfortunately for the Tigers, many of these shots did not find their mark. Still, Princeton was able to keep many of its matches close.

"We're right there in the matches — we're close," freshman Laura Trimble said. "We just can't seem to hit those last balls."

Robertson was up a break in her match before, as she said, she "fell to pieces."

The one game the Tigers did swipe from Maryland on Saturday was won, 14-12, on a long third set tiebreak by senior Jackie Arcario at the No. 5 singles spot.

Despite the losses that keep piling up on the Tigers' record, they can take some solace in the fact that they have been able to stay with some of the best teams in the nation. The Terrapins were coming in off a win over No. 14 Virginia Commonwealth.

"Our confidence was really going against Maryland," Robertson said. "We were right there in a few of the matches, but things just didn't bounce our way."

The Tigers took on George Washington in a scrimmage on Friday that gave many of the JV players a chance to compete. Trimble was one of only three varsity team members to play. Despite a hard-fought contest, Princeton lost, 4-3.

The women have just one match on Friday against St. John's at home in Jadwin Gymnasium before they head out to California the following week, presenting a great opportunity for them to catch fire.

Unlike its female counterparts, the men's tennis team enjoyed a terrific weekend doubleheader. With 5-2 victories over both George Washington and Stony Brook, the Tigers improved their record to 5-4.

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With more players getting healthy again, the team is finally beginning to come together and mature individually and as a whole.

"Each player is becoming more and more comfortable with his gamestyle and focusing on the process," senior Dan Friedman said. "It has really helped us come together."

Against George Washington, the Tigers swept the doubles matches and won the Nos. 3-6 singles matches in straight sets. Against Stony Brook, Friedman and doubles partner Darius Craton swept, 8-0, in the No. 1 spot.

Much like last weekend, the Tigers faced weaker competition than it will face in California. The team is focusing on maintaining its intensity and gearing up for some tough matches. In just a few weeks, they will be up against four teams ranked in the top 50 on the West Coast.

"We won this weekend's matches convincingly," Friedman said. "It was important for us because we now have our toughest stretch coming up."

The Tigers certainly have the talent to be successful no matter how strong their competition. But in order to win the big matches, they are going to have to work hard and not take anything lightly.

"We have the capabilities to accomplish great things this year, but we have to have the right attitude," Friedman said. "We have to love the battle, enjoy the moment."

The Tigers will take this weekend off before heading out to Southern California to face Pepperdine.