Flushing, NY – The #2 seeded women's tennis team squared off against CUNYAC rivals and top seeded Baruch College earlier this afternoon in a rematch of last year's conference championship. Despite taking two of the three doubles matches, the Hawks were unable to capitalize on the lead, falling in five singles matches and ultimately settling for a 5-2 runner up finish.
 
The CUNYAC All-Star duo of Zaara Afida and Liliko Chung were unable to come away with a win at first doubles, falling to Ava Deguzman and Natalie Ibelhaupt by a score of 8-4. However, the Purple and Gold rallied in the other two doubles matches. Angelina Catania and Yana Rabkova, at second doubles, defeated their opponents by the same 8-4 margin of victory as Lily O'Heir and Mia Chan did at third doubles.
 
Although they held a 2-1 lead, they struggled in singles competition. Afida was blanked by CUNYAC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP, Deguzman, 6-0, 6-0 to even out the score at 2-2. In fourth singles, Chung was over powered by Regina Kelley, 6-1, 6-2 while Rabkova suffered a similar loss at third singles, 6-2, 6-2.
 
With their backs against the wall facing a 4-2 deficit, the Hawks needed a win to stay alive. Chan, at fifth singles, went up one with a 6-3 first set victory, but was unable to put Erica Sheludenko away as the Bearcat rallied and won the next two, 6-0, 6-1. With that, Baruch was the first to reach five points and defend their title.
 
This is the third straight runner up finish for the women's tennis team. The squad will continue their season with non-traditional matches in the spring that will be released at a later date.