BALTIMORE – A rivalry three miles in the making continued to deliver drama Wednesday afternoon as the Towson University women’s tennis team edged Loyola University Maryland, 4-3, at the Ridley Athletic Complex. The victory marked the Tigers’ third win in five days, improving their overall record to 9-9, and continued a recent trend of tightly contested matches between the two Baltimore-area schools. Towson previously defeated Hampton and Monmouth, with a loss to Stony Brook sandwiched in between.
This latest installment in the Towson-Loyola series – the third consecutive match to end with a 4-3 scoreline – showcased the resilience of both teams. Towson also won in 2023, while Loyola claimed victory in 2022. The proximity of the universities, and the growing intensity of the competition, is clearly fostering a spirited rivalry.
The Tigers secured the crucial doubles point to begin the match, setting an early tone. Despite a loss at No. 2 doubles, the Towson duo of Kiersten Tambe and Chandrè Boshoff prevailed 6-3 at the No. 1 position. Their win extended a strong run of form, having now won four straight matches and five of their last six outings. The deciding point in the doubles competition came from a comeback performance by Ashira Murray and Sania Suchinsky at No. 3. Trailing 5-4, the pair rallied to win three consecutive games and secure a 7-5 victory.
Loyola responded strongly in singles play, taking a 2-1 lead with straight-set wins on courts 5 and 3. However, Towson refused to concede, demonstrating the fighting spirit that head coach Jamie Peterson has been cultivating. Murray leveled the score at 2-2 with a hard-fought victory at No. 4. The junior now boasts a 13-4 record this season, including a 6-4 mark on court 4. Her move up the lineup was necessitated by an injury to Tamzin Pountney, according to the team roster.
The pivotal moments arrived simultaneously on courts 1 and 2. While Loyola’s Christine Richiez secured a win at No. 1, Gaia Montecchi delivered a crucial victory for Towson at No. 2, defeating Elena Hartley 6-4, 7-6 (5). This result was particularly notable, as Hartley had won in straight sets on the same court in the previous year’s meeting. Montecchi’s performance improved her individual record to 14-4 this season.
The match ultimately hinged on court 6, where senior Sania Suchinsky clinched the victory for Towson, defeating Emi Shivkumar 6-3, 6-3. This marked the second consecutive year Suchinsky has defeated Shivkumar in this matchup. Suchinsky’s journey to this victory was particularly inspiring, having missed 12 matches earlier in the season while battling mononucleosis. Her resilience and determination were evident in her performance, bringing her lifetime record on court 6 to 13-5.
“Another hard-fought win for TU,” Peterson said, according to TowsonTigers.com. “We pulled through in another tight match. We got a clutch win from Ashira and Sania to grab the doubles point and a lot of fight in singles. At one point in the opening set, we trailed in five of the six matches, but Gaia and Ashira rallied to win those sets.”
Doubles Results
| Court | Result |
|---|---|
| No. 1 | Kiersten Tambe/Chandrè Boshoff (TOW) def. Christine Richiez/Emma Roeck (LOY): 6-3 |
| No. 2 | Emi Shivkumar/Elena Hartley (LOY) def. Aubrey Carper/Chloe Courtnage (TOW): 6-3 |
| No. 3 | Ashira Murray/Sania Suchinsky (TOW) def. Victoria Epps/Mia Matriccino (LOY): 7-5 |
Singles Results
The singles matchups proved equally competitive, with several matches going to three sets. Here’s a breakdown of the individual results:
- No. 1 – Richiez (LOY) def. Tambe (TOW): 6-3, 7-6 (1)
- No. 2 – Montecchi (TOW) def. Hartley (LOY): 6-4, 7-6 (5)
- No. 3 – Matriccino (LOY) def. Boshoff (TOW): 6-3, 6-4
- No. 4 – Murray (TOW) def. Epps (LOY): 7-6 (4), 6-2
- No. 5 – Roeck (LOY) def. Carper (TOW): 6-2, 6-2
- No. 6 – Suchinsky (TOW) def. Shivkumar (LOY): 6-3, 6-3
Looking Ahead
Towson will now turn its attention to its final Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) match of the season, hosting the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) on Friday afternoon at the Tiger Tennis Complex. The Seahawks enter the contest with an 8-4 overall record and a 3-1 mark in CAA play. UNCW is led by Eda Arli and Elif Albayrak, who have combined for a 19-4 record in singles matches this season. The duo also boasts a 10-2 record at No. 1 doubles, presenting a significant challenge for the Tigers. More information about the UNCW Seahawks can be found on their official athletics website.
The outcome of Friday’s match will have significant implications for both teams as they vie for positioning within the CAA standings. For Towson, a victory would provide a strong finish to the regular season and build momentum heading into the conference tournament.
The Towson-Loyola match underscored the competitive landscape of collegiate tennis and the dedication of these student-athletes. The close contest served as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and the unwavering spirit of competition.
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