March 13, 2006

Results

Hilton Head Island, S.C. - Kayla Blackburn recorded a pair of singles victories and teammed with Lara Rizzi for a doubles win to lead The Rock a split in two matches on Monday.

Blackburn battled for three sets to win the No. 1 singles match by 6-7 (3), 6-0, 10-7 scores in The Rock's 6-3 loss to No. 36 Limestone (S.C.) College.

She then recorded a "double-bagel" (6-0, 6-0) win in the No. 1 singles match and teammed with Rizzi to win an 8-2 decision in the No. 1 doubles match of SRU's 9-0 whitewashing of regional rival Merrimack.

Monday's split gives The Rock a 6-4 record as it heads into a pair of days off prior to Thursday's match with regional power Bloomsburg (3 p.m.).

The No. 2 doubles team of Kelli Parnell and Sarah Karagianis recorded an 8-5 victory to account for SRU's first point vs. Limestone (11-3).

The final Rock point in Monday's first match came as a result of a "retired" win recorded by Cristina Rhodes in the No. 5 singles match.

Lost in the shadow of the team loss was a stellar effort by Karagianis in the No. 4 singles match, a duel she lost by a 2-6, 6-1, 15-17 score.

Against Merrimack. Parnell and Karagianis blanked their No. 2 doubles foes 8-0 and the No. 3 team of Erika McKenna and Rhodes won an 8-6 decision.

In singles action, Parnell won a 6-0, 2-6, 6-1 decision at No. 2; Rizzie rolled to a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 3; Karagianis waltzed to a 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 4; McKenna claimed an 8-1 win and Rhodes secured an 8-2 triumph.

The win over Merrimack solidified The Rock's No. 6 regional ranking.