The three members of the New York University women's tennis team competing at the ITA Oracle Cup at Berry College in Rome, GA, all recorded victories on Friday, October 18.
Karina Jensrud (Olso, Norway/Laurel Springs School (Ojai, CA)), who competed in singles, and
Anna Maria Buraya (Toronto, Canada/Bayview Glenn School) and
Anastasiia Balyk (Odessa, Ukraine/Boca Prep International), who paired up in doubles, all posted wins as the trio completed their play.
Jensrud was first up in singles, and after dropping two matches on Thursday, came back to win her final match on Friday. She defeated Grace Riermann of Bethel University in straight sets 6-4 and 6-3.
"Karina played much better today," said Head Coach
Horace Choy. "It was a good bounce-back after a day where she did not play up to her potential. She should be proud that she earned All-American status as a freshman. It was good to end a strong fall season on a high note."
Meanwhile, the NYU doubles team also won their first match of the day...against a familiar opponent as Riermann returned with her sister Maggie to play against the Violets. And, once again NYU came out on top.
The match was a close one as the Bethel pair won the first set 6-4. However, Buraya and Balyk rebounded to win the second set 6-3 and then the super tiebreaker 10-8.
"The match was as close as the scores indicates. Hard-fought by both teams," Choy explained. "Anna and Anastasiia came up with some big points to break in the second set and same in the tiebreaker. That was the difference."
The NYU duo then faced Dana Beshentseva and Erika Oku from Kenyon College and swept their opponents 6-2, 6-3.
"I think that was the best match they played all fall," Choy offered. "They controlled play from start to finish and played well at the net and on the baseline. They stayed aggressive to the end.and made some incredible shots."
All three NYU players qualified for this national championship by winning their respective events at the ITA Regional Championships last month. They all earned All-America honors for those victories.
With their two victories on Friday, the NYU doubles team finished in a tie for ninth place in the 16-team tournament, while Jensrud's victory put her in a tie for 13th place.
"I'm extremely proud of what these players accomplished, winning in the region and competing for national championships," Choy continued. "This says a lot about our program and the things we can accomplish."
The fall portion of the women's tennis schedule is now complete, and the Violets will return to action at Swarthmore College on February 21.
