BOXSCORE

FLUSHING, NY - A pair of forfeit losses turned out to be the gamechanger in yesterday's women's tennis match featuring Hunter College and the visiting Manhattanville Valiants who knocked off the Hawks, 5-4 at the USTA National Tennis Center on Thursday.

Hunter is now 10-5 overall while Manhattanville is 2-6.

Jennifer Kraham and Stephanie Ahwireng got the Hawks started with a 8-2 victory over Kristin Hallett and Kirsten Shaughnessy at first doubles. The Valiants responded with an 9-8 victory (7-5 tiebreak) at second singles as Natalie Horton and Jackie Solomito knocked off Hunter tandem Gina Yeo and Beth Chapnick. The Valiants picked up an easy win at third singles with a HC forfeit to take a 2-1 lead.

Kraham won convincingly at first singles, defeating Joeliza Valdez, 6-0 in straight sets to tie the affair. Ahwireng then put the Hawks in front as she beat Kim Kunces, 6-2 and then 6-1 to make it a 3-2 match in Hunter's favor. The Valiants tied the match at third singles though when Shaughnessy beat Gina Yeo, 6-4 in the first set but lost 7-6 in the second before winning 11-9 in the third. Caroline Kaleda put the Hawks back on top, 4-3.

The Valiants nabbed a win at fifth singles with Giovanna Lamorte topping Chapnick, 7-5 and 6-2 before a fofeit victory at sixth singles gave Manhattanville the 5-4 victory.

Hunter returns to the court on Saturday, April 21st when it travels to SUNY New Paltz.