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                         April 26, 2002

Army’s hopes of winning its fourth straight Patriot League women’s tennis title was dealt a tough blow Sunday in Washington, D.C. by newcomer and host American University.

The top-seeded Eagles snapped the Black Knights’ three-year reign in posting a 4-0 decision in the championship match for the automatic NCAA tournament berth.

American had to scramble to open a 1-0 lead in doubles after pulling out a close 8-6 win over the team of sophomore Melanie Bundoc and senior Ali Rohr at No. 1 followed by another tough 8-5 decision over the freshman duo of Maelynn Bernosky and Marissa Limsiaco at No. 2. The third match was suspended once the Eagles had clinched the point.

American sewed up its first Patriot League title with straight-set victories at the top three spots in the singles lineup. Olga Mikhailova, a winner at No. 2 doubles, downed Army junior Annie Collier 6-3, 6-1 at the No. 1 spot, while at No. 2, Rohr took Kristina Georgievea to the tie-breaker before bowing 7-6 (7-5), 6-3. Lourdes Riusech dispatched senior Melissa Sentelle 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3, while the bottom half of the singles lineup had their matches suspended once the Eagles clinched their fourth and deciding point. It will be American’s first NCAA appearance.

The Black Knights closed out the spring campaign at 17-11.