By Gigi Speer
Fordham Women’s Tennis wrapped up its fall play this past weekend at the Harvard Invitational in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Rams started off the weekend strong, with freshman/sophomore duo Nicole Li and Arina Taluyenko defeating Annika Bassey in fifth singles and Erica Oosterhaut, both of Harvard, in first singles, respectively on Friday.
The singles success poured out over into Saturday, with Taluyenko defeating Erin Chratian in first singles, senior Tatiana Grigoryan besting Tiara Higuchi in third singles, Li defeating Paulina Loredo in fourth singles and senior Gianna Insogna besting Ariel Haber 6-3, 6-0 in fifth singles. All four of the Rams’ opponents were Rams of Rhode Island.
The highlight of the trip was sophomore Arina Taluyenko going 6-0 in her matches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
As for doubles, the Saturday Squad started off strong as Taluyenko and Grigoryan defeated Erin Hratian and Rachel Smilansky 6-2 in first doubles and Li and senior Alexis Zobeideh defeated Tiara Higuchi and Halah Davis 6-2 in second doubles, besting the fellow A-10 member Rhode Island for Saturday’s play.
It was Zobeideh’s first match of the fall, and she is happy it was a successful return.
“I’ve been injured since February and I finally got cleared for doubles competition (not singles yet) so it was a great weekend to start again!” said the senior captain.
On Sunday, the team faced off against Seton Hall, with Taluyenko and Grigoryan starting off doubles play strong, winning 6-4 in first doubles. In third doubles, junior Maia Balce and Insogna won 6-4.
In singles play, Taluyenko kept her winning streak alive against Anniek Jansen 5-7, 7-6, 10-8 in first singles, and Grigoryan bested Melody Taal 6-4, 6-2 in third singles. Insogna wrapped up singles play by defeating Michal Matson 6-2, 4-6, 10-4 in sixth singles. All three opponents were Seton Hall Pirates.
“The weekend was great, Arina going 6-0 in all her matches was definitely a highlight and we had a challenge with Harvard that we hope to redeem ourselves in the spring when we play them in a dual match,” said Zobeideh.
As for the promise for the spring, the captain is positive about their conference play this weekend: “Playing Rhode Island and beating them was big because they’re in our conference, and Seton Hall is always a great fight so it was awesome to beat them too,” Zobeideh said. “We’re excited for the spring and to hopefully have a great season!”
Fordham Women’s Tennis will return to action in January.
