The women’s tennis team at the University of Pennsylvania experienced a difficult 4-3 loss to the 49th-ranked Yale in New Haven, Connecticut. Despite the defeat, the players, including Sabine Rutlauka, Maya Urata, and Esha Velaga, displayed commendable efforts on the court, securing victories for the 72nd-ranked Penn team.
During the doubles round, Junior Rutlauka and Eileen Wang fought tenaciously, ultimately achieving a 6-4 victory against Yale’s Mirabelle Brettkelly and Erin Ha. Freshman Velaga continued her impressive performance by defeating Bulldog Orly Ogilvy 7-5, 6-4 in the #1 slot, bringing her conference singles record to 3-0. Additionally, Sophomore Urata secured her 16th match victory of the spring by defeating Jamie King 6-3, 6-4, marking a season-high win tally for Penn. Rutlauka also continued her success in the singles round, defeating Yale’s Brettkelly in a 6-4, 6-1 battle and extending her spring singles record to an impressive 5-0.
Looking ahead, the Quakers (14-7, 2-2 Ivy League) are preparing to conclude their New England road trip with a 1 p.m. match at the Pizzitola Memorial Sports Center against Brown on Sunday, April 14.
The results from the doubles and singles rounds are as follows:
Doubles
Sabine Rutlauka/Eileen Wang def. Mirabelle Brettkelly/Erin Ha, 6-4
Ann Wright Guerry/Orly Ogilvy def. Sasha Motlagh/Iris Gallo, 7-5
Jamie Kim/Shyla Aggarwal def. Esha Velaga/Maya Urata, 7-6 (5)
Singles
Esha Velaga def. Orly Ogilvy – 7-5, 6-4
Sabine Rutlauka def. Mirabelle Brettkelly – 6-4, 6-1
Erin Ha def. Gavriella Smith – 6-3, 6-0
Shyla Aggarwal def. Eileen Wang – 6-1, 6-3
Rebecca Lynn def. Sasha Motlagh – 6-2, 6-2
Maya Urata def. Jamie Kim – 6-3, 6-4
Despite the loss, the players demonstrated exceptional skill and determination on the court, exemplifying the competitive spirit of Penn women’s tennis. The team will regroup and prepare to face their next challenge, aiming to bounce back from this narrow defeat.