By Joyce Novacek

Writer

Lauren Lucido ’11 broke the all-time program record for both singles’ victories and doubles’ victories, but the third-seeded Orange and Blue women’s tennis team was defeated by second-seeded Navy 4-2 in the Patriot League semifinals at Brigade Sports Complex in Annapolis, Md. on Saturday afternoon. The Bison concluded their 2010-2011 season with a record of 10-11.

“As our team went into the semi-final match versus Navy, we had nothing to lose and we definitely fought with everything we had,” Lauren Rottkamp ’11 said. “Overall, the biggest lesson that we learned this year is to have a high level of intensity throughout the year, so that in important matches, each one of us can execute and perform to the best of our abilities.”

Lucido and Dumitrita Iepuras ’12 defeated a pair of midshipmen easily at first doubles, 8-1. This double’s victory concluded collegiate doubles play for the senior who ended her career with an 83-35 record in doubles. The previous best doubles record was 82-42 by Veronica Brown, who had been in the top spot of the program annals since 2006.

Lucido’s success continued in singles play where she quickly defeated Amanda Griffin in first singles 6-4, 6-4. This victory advanced Lucido into the top spot on the record list. The senior finishes her singles career with a record of 87-36, only one game over the previous record holder, Tanya Sichko, who had gone 86-40 in her career that ended in 2005.

Lucido had already set the program record for total wins on April 2 against Colgate.

Rottkamp also performed well in singles play, defeating Navy’s Stephanie Ton at third singles 6-2, 7-6. With this singles win, Rottkamp claims 12th all-time in program singles, with an overall career record of 48-43.

Despite some close competition, the Bison were not able to win any other singles matches, and, other than Lucido and Iepuras, found no more success in doubles either.

“All of the singles and doubles matches were very close, yet it was just not our day to win the overall match,” Rottkamp said. “Although we struggled in the beginning of the season with some tough matches, we learned how to fight with everything we had and we all stepped up our performance as we moved into conference play and the Patriot League tournament.”

This match concluded the season for the Bison, marking the first time in seven seasons that the Bison did not advance to the Patriot League Championship. Dara Dwojewski ’11, Rottkamp and Lucido are three seniors on the roster who the Bison will miss next year.