Ewing, NJ…The Lions of No. 23 ranked The College of New Jersey’s women’s tennis team recorded a 7-2 win over Bates College on Wednesday afternoon. TCNJ has now won captured five wins in a row and stands at 13-1 on the season, while Bates College drops to 4-7 on the season. TCNJ is a perfect 11-0 at home this season.

Bates held a 2-1 advantage at the completion of the doubles, before TCNJ rallied to win all six singles matches and record the 7-2 win.

At first doubles, the Bobcats were led by sophomore Caryn Benisch (Huntington, NY/Huntington) and senior captain Laura Harris (Mercer Island, WA/Forest Ridge School) handed the Lions top doubles pair of freshman Jackie Shtemberg (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Ramapo) and junior Christina Contrafatto (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) an 8-5 loss.

TCNJ’s pair earned the No. 1 regional ranking on Monday in the Northeast Region and with Wednesday’s setback now stand at 22-5 this year overall and 11-2 in dual meet play, while Benisch and Harris are now 4-3 together this spring.

Bates was also a winner at second doubles as freshman Alexandra Piacquad (Yardley, PA/The Peddie School) and junior Mallika Raghavan (Chappaqua, NY/Harvey School) posted a 9-7 win over TCNJ’s senior, Kristen Turturtiello (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Gov. Livingston) and freshman Tamra Wroblesky (Freehold, NJ/Communications). The Lions pair is now 3-2 together at second doubles this spring.

TCNJ took third doubles convincingly as sophomore Haley Kutner (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Dwight Englewood) and freshman Stefanie Haar (Morganville, NJ/Marlboro) bested junior Julie Brown (Lynnfield, MA/Lynnfield) and freshman Laura Will (Milton, MA/Milton Academy) 8-0 to improve to 13-6 this season with a 9-1 dual meet mark.

Ranked No. 7 regionally in singles play, Shtemberg bested Benisch 6-4, 6-1 at first singles and now stands at 25-3 overall with a 13-0 dual meet record.

Also ranked regionally in singles play for the first time this year, Contrafatto recorded a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 2 singles over Piacquad to improve to 11-1 this year and 46-14 on her career.

At No. 4 singles, Turturtiellowas a 6-1, 6-0 winner over Raghavan to improve to 15-3 this season overall with a 9-0 dual meet record, while adding to her career resume that now includes a 64-19 singles mark.

Fifth singles player, Haar added to her rookie season as well as she beat Brown, 6-3, 6-0 for her 20th win of the season and is now 20-4 overall with a 13-1 dual meet record.
          
TCNJ returns to action on April 20 when they travel to Swarthmore College for a 3:30 p.m. match, while Bates College will travel to Connecticut College on April 21 for an 8:00 a.m. match.

Tennis Match Results
Bates College vs The College of New Jersey
4/18/2007 at TCNJ

#23 The College of New Jersey 7, Bates College 2,
Singles competition
1. Jackie Shtemberg (TCNJ) def. Caryn Benisch (BATES) vs. 6-4, 6-1
2. Christina Contraffatto (TCNJ def. Alexandra Piacquad (BATES) 6-1, 6-1
3. Haley Kutner (TCNJ) def. Julie Harris (BATES) 6-2, 6-2
4. Kristen Turturiello (TCNJ) def. Mallika Raghavan (BATES) 6-1, 6-0
5. Stefanie Haar (TCNJ) def. Julie Brown (BATES) 6-3, 6-0
6. Lindsay Katzel (TCNJ) def. Laura Will (BATES) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Caryn Benisch/Julie Harris (BATES) def. Jackie Shtemberg/Christina Contraffatto (TCNJ) 8-5
2. Alexandra Piacquad/Mallika Raghavan (BATES) def. Kristen Turturiello/Tamra Wroblesky (T) ,9-7
3. Haley Kutner/Stefanie Haar (TCNJ) def. Julie Brown/Laura Will (BATES) 8-0

Match Notes:
Bates College 4-7
The College of New Jersey 13-1; National ranking #23; Regional ranking #7
Official: Marvin Hill