ITHACA, N.Y. – After coming back from early deficits, the Boston University women's tennis team posted a 5-2 win over Cornell in its first dual match of the season at the Reis Tennis Center. Senior Erica Di Battista highlighted the day for BU with a three-set clinching win in the No. 4 spot.
 
In doubles, the Terriers (1-0) found themselves down early, as Cornell (0-1) took the first doubles match, 6-1. As play progressed, BU was behind on both remaining courts and on the verge of losing the doubles point. At the No. 2 spot, the duo of grad student Shelly Yaloz and junior Kaitlin Tan were behind, 4-0, before making a comeback to win their match against Emma Baker and Ashley Huang, 7-5.
 
A similar situation occurred in the No. 3 spot where junior Victoria Carlsten and freshman Navya Vadlamudi were down, 5-2, to Sofia Iantosca and Lan Mi. The Terriers fought back to ultimately force a tiebreaker in which they came out on top, 7-6 (3), to clinch the doubles point.
 
In singles, BU grabbed the first point when Vadlamudi won her match due to a retirement by Cornell. The Big Red soon found themselves on the board with a straight sets win at the No.1 spot, but the Terriers were quick to strike next. Carlsten posted a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Baker to help BU lead 3-1 and get one step closer to winning the match.
 
Cornell closed in 3-2 with a win in the No. 5 spot, but the fate of the match would soon be decided. Di Battista faced Alexandra Savu on Court 4 and played a competitive match. Savu took the first set 6-4 but Di Battista fought back to wax her opponent 6-1 in the second. The final set was closely contested and it was the Terrier who would come out on top. Di Battista won the set 7-5 to clinch the win for BU.
 
Play finished on the remaining court where Kleynerman split sets with Lauren Stein 6-4, 4-6. The sophomore showed her grit to win the third set 7-5 and close out the match BU 5, Cornell 2.
 
The Terriers will be back in action on Sunday (Jan. 22) when they travel to Syracuse for a 10 a.m. match.
 
Boston University 5, Cornell 2
 
Singles (order of finish: 6, 1, 3, 5, 4*, 2)
1. No. 125 Lan Mi (Cornell) def. Shelly Yaloz (BU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Michelle Kleynerman (BU) def. Lauren Stein (Cornell) 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
3. Victoria Carlsten (BU) def. Emma Baker (Cornell) 6-3, 6-3
4. Erica Di Battista (BU) def. Alexandra Savu (Cornell) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5
5. Fatima El Ashram (Cornell) def. Kaitlin Tan (BU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
6. Navya Vadlamudi (BU) def. Ashley Huang (Cornell) 3-2, ret.
 
Doubles (order of finish: 1, 2, 3*)
1. Lauren Stein/Alexandra Savu (Cornell) def. Michelle Kleynerman/Erica Di Battista (BU) 6-1
2. Shelly Yaloz/Kaitlin Tan (BU) def. Ashley Huang/Emma Baker (Cornell) 7-5
3. Victoria Carlsten/Navya Vadlamudi (BU) def. Sofia Iantosca/Lan Mi (Cornell) 7-6 (3)