March 30, 2006

Results

Slippery Rock, Pa. - Ashley Michaux had a hand in both of The Rock's points in Thursday afternoon's 7-2 loss to visiting Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division and NCAA Division II East Region rival California U. of Pa.

Michaux and doubles partner Kayla Blackburn -- the No. 3-ranked duo in the region according to Fila -- recorded an 8-1 decision over the region's top-ranked (No. 25 nationally) tandem, Inga Chiligarya and Katie Anderson.

Michaux, the reigning PSAC-West "Athlete of the Year" and currently the eighth-ranked singles player in the region, then won a three-set (3-6, 6-2, 10-8) match against 12th-ranked Katie Anderson in the No. 2 singles match.

Thursday's match pitted the region's No. 3 ranked team (California) against The Rock, the No. 6 team in the region.

With the win, California improved its season record to 10-7. The Rock saw its record fall to 9-6.

The No. 1 singles match featured two of the top five players in the nation. Chiligaryan (No. 2) won a 6-2, 6-2 decision over The Rock's Kayla Blackburn (No. 5).

The loss was the first in nine No. 1 singles matches for Blackburn, who has a 13-2 overall record in her first collegiate campaign.

Blackburn and Michaux are now 7-2 as The Rock's No. 1 doubles team.

Michaux, who did not play in The Rock's six matches over spring break, is 7-2 in singles matches.

The Rock returns to action with a home match on Sunday at 1 p.m. against regional rival Millersville.