NAPOLITANO NOTCHES WIN, WOMEN’S TENNIS DOWNED BY JMU

RADFORD, Va. – Sophomore Meg Napolitano recorded a thrilling three-set victory at No. 4 singles, but her efforts were not enough as Radford dropped a nonconference women's tennis match to James Madison, 6-1, Wednesday afternoon at the Radford University Tennis Complex.

Making the short drive from Harrisonburg, Va., the Dukes (9-6) swept doubles competition to earn the 1-0 lead heading into singles play.

JMU prevailed on courts five, six and two, respectively, to capture the decision.

Napolitano provided a point for Radford (6-13) at the fourth position. After the Charlottesville, Va. native cruised to the 6-1 first-set win, she was faced with a stiffer challenge in the second frame against Katherine Bulling. The Duke was able to outlast Napolitano, 7-6 (7-1), to force a third-set, 10-point tiebreaker.

In the deciding stanza, Napolitano unleashed her frustration from the prior set by ripping rockets past her opponent en route to the 10-6 triumph. The victory was Napolitano's second in her last three outings.

The Highlanders are back in action Sunday, April 14 at Winthrop. First serve with the Big South-leading Eagles is set for 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Courts in Rock Hill, S.C.

Radford (1) vs. James Madison (6)
Radford University Tennis Complex (Radford, Va.)
Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Doubles competition
1. Taylor Pinchoff / Michelle Nguyen (JMU) def. Taylor Newman / Meg Napolitano (RU), 8-4
2. Cara Wirth / Katherine Bulling (JMU) def. Allison Michael / Hana Babic (RU), 8-1
3. Ruxandra Andriescu / Jacqueline Palmucci (JMU) def. Taylor Fay / Gemma Valls (RU), 8-7 (7-5)

Order of finish: 2, 1*, 3

Singles competition
1. Taylor Pinchoff (JMU) def. Taylor Newman (RU), 7-5, 6-4
2. Jacqueline Palmucci (JMU) def. Gemma Valls (RU), 6-2, 6-2
3. Ruxandra Andriescu (JMU) def. Hana Babic (RU), 6-0, 6-4
4. Meg Napolitano (RU) def. Katherine Bulling (JMU), 6-1, 6-7 (1-7), 1-0 (10-6)
5. Cara Wirth (JMU) def. Taylor Fay (RU), 6-0, 6-0
6. Megan Douglass (JMU) def. Allison Michael (RU), 6-0, 6-4

Order of finish: 5, 6, 2*, 3, 4, 1

Match Notes
Radford (6-13)
James Madison (9-6)

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