Panthers Fall in Regular Season Finale to Florida State

Sunday, April 17

Tallahassee, FLA.

12:00 PM

Pitt

Florida State

Panthers Fall in Regular Season Finale to Florida State

4/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

April 17, 2016

Final Stats

Box Score (PDF) | Season Stats

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Pitt tennis team (7-13, 1-13 ACC) dropped a 5-2 decision to No. 57 Florida State (13-12, 4-10 ACC) in the regular season finale Sunday afternoon at the Scott Speicher Tennis Center.

Redshirt junior Amber Washington was one of two Panthers to record a victory today. She concludes the regular season with 26 singles victories, tying her for third-best in Pitt single-season singles wins. Washington boasts an overall record of 26-8 and has now won seven straight matches.

"We came out of the gates slow in doubles and at this level that normally means losing the point," head coach Alex Santos said. "We have to keep focusing on the positive things and try to make them even better. Amber [Washington] once again showed tremendous fight and that she really wants to make Pitt tennis a special place in this conference and nationally. I am very confident that we will bring our very best energy in the ACC Tournament."

The Seminoles jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the dual after claiming back-to-back doubles matches on courts one and two. Playing No. 1 doubles, the junior tandem of Audrey Ann Blakely and Lolade Ogungbesan were blanked, 6-0, by FSU's Gabriella Castaneda and Yukako Noi. At No. 2 doubles, the Pitt duo of sophomore Callie Frey and Washington then fell 6-2 to Daneika Borthwick and Daniela Schippers. The Pitt freshmen team of Carina Ma and Gabriela Rezende were tied 5-5 with Kathryn Phillips and Ariana Rahmanparast, but was left unfinished.

In singles action, Rezende was the first Panther to put Pitt on the board after a dominating performance on court six. Rezende shutout Phillips in straight sets, tying the dual 1-1.

The Seminoles regained the lead after a win on court three. Ma was outlasted by Yukako Noi, 6-0, 6-1.

Florida State went on to claim two more singles matches, securing the dual in its favor.

Playing No. 2 singles, Ogungbesan fell in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, to Castaneda. Soon after, Blakely dropped a 7-5, 6-1 decision to 31^st-ranked Borthwick on court one.

Frey was the next Panther to suffer a loss. The Pittsburgh native claimed the first set 6-2, but fell 6-4, 6-1 in the second and third to Ariana Rahmanparast.

Pitt's final point came from Washington, who outlasted Schippers in three sets at No. 5 singles. The St. Paul, Minn., native took the first set 6-2, fell in the second 6-4 and bounced back in the third, 6-2. Washington improves to 7-2 when playing No. 5 and is now 12-2 against ACC opponents.

The Panthers head to Cary, N.C., on Wednesday, April 20 for the 2016 Women's Tennis ACC Championship. For more information on the tournament, visit the tournament central page.

SINGLES

1. #31 Daneika Borthwick (FS) def. Audrey Ann Blakely (UP) 7-5, 6-1
2. Gabriella Castaneda (FS) def. Lolade Ogungbesan (UP) 6-4, 6-2
3. Yukako Noi (FS) def. Carina Ma (UP) 6-0, 6-1
4. Ariana Rahmanparast (FS) def. Callie Frey (UP) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
5. Amber Washington (UP) def. Daniela Schippers (FS) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
6. Gabriela Rezende (UP) def. Kathryn Phillips (FS) 6-0, 6-0

DOUBLES

1. Gabriella Castaneda/Yukako Noi (FS) def. Audrey Ann Blakely/Lolade Ogungbesan (UP) 6-0
2. Daneika Borthwick/Daniela Schippers (FS) def. Callie Frey/Amber Washington (UP) 6-2
3. Kathryn Phillips/Ariana Rahmanparast (FS) vs. Carina Ma/Gabriela Rezende (UP) 5-5, unfinished

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (6,3,2,1,4,5)