Adams-Borza tandem stays unbeaten, but Panthers lose

Pitt tennis has a No. 1 doubles tandem that just will not lose. But on Sunday against… Pitt tennis has a No. 1 doubles tandem that just will not lose. But on Sunday against Syracuse, the Panthers’ singles just couldn’t win.

Sophomore Elizabeth Adams and senior Kristy Borza improved their doubles record to 14-0 on the season with a win on Sunday, but Pitt didn’t find much success elsewhere on the court in its 6-1 defeat to the Orange.

Pitt’s highlight once again was the Adams-Borza duo. It took out Emily Harman and Christina Tan from Syracuse, 8-6.

‘This was definitely a great match to win because their coach is known for doubles and we always expect them to be good,’ said Adams. ‘I think [Borza] and I get better with every match.’

At No. 3 doubles, senior Christie D’Achille and junior Shannon Benic are now 7-0 together as a team. They blended together to put forth an impressive performance to beat Alessondra Parra and Simone Kalhorn, 8-2.

‘[D’Achille and Benic] are awesome together,’ said Adams. ‘They are great to have at the No. 3 spot.’

Unfortunately, those were all of the positives that can be taken out of the Syracuse match. It was one of those matches where the players want to have a short-term memory and forget about it the next day.

After winning the doubles point for the 13th time this season, the Panthers undefeated Big East run came to an end as they lost all six singles matches. It was payback for the Orange (12-5, 6-2 Big East), who lost to Pitt 4-3 last year.

After losing at doubles, Harman and Tan got their revenge on the Panthers in singles. Harman stayed alive to beat Borza 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 at No. 1 singles, and Tan beat Adams 6-3, 6-4 at No. 2.

At No. 3 singles, freshman Minh Evans lost to Kalhorn 6-1, 6-2. D’Achille lost to Parra 7-6 (2), 6-2 at No. 4 singles.

‘[Syracuse] just came out ready to play,’ said Adams. ‘We can definitely do better. It was just a bad day for the Panthers.’

The Panthers are still confident that they can finish near the top in the Big East. Adams said that if the team is playing its best, they can beat anyone.

Pitt (10-4, 5-1) will try to bounce back at Duquesne on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

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