Alexander, Deronjic, Krolikowski, McCarthy all win singles matches

RINDGE, N.H. (October 9, 2010) – Juniors Drew Alexander (Long Beach, N.Y.), Suzana Deronjic (Melrose, Mass.) and Kaitlin Krolikowski (Massapequa, N.Y.) and freshman Natasha McCarthy (Rindge, N.H.) all won their singles matches on Saturday afternoon, but the Franklin Pierce University women's tennis team dropped a 5-4 decision to Assumption in Northeast-10 Conference play at Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 0-5 (0-5 Northeast-10), while Assumption improves to 1-2 (1-2 Northeast-10) with the victory.

After getting swept in doubles play, the Ravens sought to mount a comeback in singles play. At first singles, Krolikowski dropped the first set, 7-5, to Assumption sophomore Erica Micciche, but stormed back with 6-0 and 6-1 wins in the final two sets to take the match. Meanwhile, at second singles, McCarthy posted a dominant, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Assumption senior Grace Fox. Elsewhere, Deronjic posted a 6-4, 6-4 win over freshman Meghan Hall at third singles and Alexander powered to a 6-2, 6-1 victory over freshman Alexandra Rahal.

Franklin Pierce nearly capped off the comeback to take the match, as senior Lauren Smilovich (Meriden, Conn.) and Assumption freshman Paige Gilet squared off at fourth singles in a match that would finish under the lights in Rindge. Smilovich took the first set, 7-6, with an 8-6 win in the tiebreak, before Gilet answered with a 6-2 win in the second set. The third and final set went to a tiebreak as well, where Gilet posted a 7-4 win to take the match.

Gilet was the only Assumption player to win in both singles and doubles match on Saturday. Before her lengthy battle with Smilovich, Gilet teamed with Fox to pick up an 8-4 win at second singles. Sophomore Christie Malanga picked up the other singles point for Assumption with a 6-2, 6-3 win at sixth singles.

The Ravens return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 12, when they remain home to host Bentley in a Northeast-10 Conference match at 1 p.m.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics).

Results
Doubles
1. Erica Micciche/Meghan Hall (ASM) def. Kaitlin Krolikowski/Natasha McCarthy (FPU), 8-5
2. Grace Fox/Paige Gilet (ASM) def. Lauren Smilovich/Drew Alexander (FPU), 8-4
3. Alexandra Rahal/Allie Plack (ASM) def. Suzana Deronjic/Mariama Bonetti (FPU), 8-4

Singles
1. Krolikowski (FPU) def. Micciche (ASM), 5-7, 6-0, 6-1
2. McCarthy (FPU) def. Fox (ASM), 6-1, 6-1
3. Deronjic (FPU) def. Hall (ASM), 6-4, 6-4
4. Gilet (ASM) def. Smilovich (FPU), 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)
5. Alexander (FPU) def. Rahal (ASM), 6-2, 6-1
6. Christie Malanga (ASM) def. Amy Carpentier (FPU), 6-2, 6-3