Melbourne, Rodgers team for second doubles win

RINDGE, N.H. (April 4, 2013) – Freshman Kirby Melbourne (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) and sophomore Leslie Rodgers (Westminster, Md.) teamed for an 8-4 win at second doubles on Thursday afternoon, but the Franklin Pierce University women's tennis team was defeated, 8-1, by Assumption in Northeast-10 Conference play at Franklin Pierce. Junior Erica Micciche won at both first doubles and first singles in the victory for Assumption.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 2-6 (1-6 Northeast-10), while Assumption improves to 4-12 (3-6 Northeast-10).

Melbourne and Rodgers picked up the lone point for Franklin Pierce in doubles play, with their 8-4 win over Assumption junior Paige Gilet and sophomore Melanie McCauley.

Overall, the match was much more competitive than the 8-1 score line indicated. Junior Natasha McCarthy (Rindge, N.H.) was swept in first singles, but forced tiebreakers in both sets. Melbourne took the first set from Gilet at second singles before falling, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. Rodgers dropped the first set to sophomore Meg Hall at fourth singles, 7-5, before taking the second set, 6-4, though she dropped a tiebreaker set, 10-4. At fifth singles, senior Melissa Cohen (Queens, N.Y.) rolled past McCauley in the first set, 6-1, but McCauley took the second, 6-4, and the tiebreak set, 10-5, to take the match.

In all, four different Assumption players won in both singles and doubles play, led by Micciche, who teamed with freshman Cassy Waung for an 8-5 win at first doubles. Later, she won the aforementioned first singles duel with McCarthy, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1).

The Ravens return to the court on Friday, April 5, when they remain home to host Regis (Mass.) in a non-conference match at 3 p.m.

Results
Doubles
1. Erica Micciche/Cassandra Waung (ASM) def. Natasha McCarthy/Emily Parrett (FPU) 8-5
2. Kirby Melbourne/Leslie Rodgers (FPU) def. Paige Gilet/Melanie McCauley (ASM) 8-4
3. Meghan Hall/Allison Gorman (ASM) def. Melissa Cohen/Christine Boulanger (FPU) 8-2

Singles
1. Erica Micciche (ASM) def. Natasha McCarthy (FPU) 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1)
2. Paige Gilet (ASM) def. Kirby Melbourne (FPU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
3. Cassandra Waung (ASM) def. Emily Parrett (FPU) 6-3, 6-1
4. Meghan Hall (ASM) def. Leslie Rodgers (FPU) 5-7, 6-4, 10-4 (tiebreak)
5. Melanie McCauley (ASM) def. Melissa Cohen (FPU) 1-6, 6-4, 10-5 (tiebreak)
6. Allison Gorman (ASM) def. Christine Boulanger (FPU) 8-0 (pro set)

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). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce tennis apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).