Lauren Holzberg

April 13, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich.; - After suffering a tough loss to No. 26 Michigan on Saturday, the Nittany Lions came back today with a big 4-3 win over No. 59 Michigan State (12-10, 3-5 Big Ten). Penn State (8-10, 2-6 Big Ten) failed to secure the doubles point after only earning one doubles win, but overcame the Spartans with four singles wins.

Penn State's sole win in doubles came from senior Katelyn BeVard (McLean, Va.) and junior Dorothy Dohanics (Pittsburgh, Pa.) who defeated Stephanie Kelder and Lindsey Lonergan, 8-4. Sophomore Sarah Lotto (Toronto, Ontario) and senior Jenny Shular (Peachtree City, Ga.) fell to Christine Bader and Whitney Wilson, 8-4. Michigan State's Ana Milosavljevic and Manon Noe earned the second doubles win for the Spartans with a 8-2 win over sophomore Lauren McCarthy (Danbury, Conn.) and junior Lauren Holzberg (Easton, Conn.).

Down 1-0 after doubles competition, the Nittany Lions needed four singles wins to take the match. The next few hours proved to be exciting as Michigan State won the first singles point after BeVard fell to Bader (6-1, 6-2). Dohanics finished next with a win over Lonergan (6-1, 6-3) putting the score a 2-1. Junior Leyla Morzan (Vancouver, B.C.) fell to Michelle Murphy (6-2, 7-6 (7-4)) allowing the Spartans to increase their lead, 3-1. The rest of singles action proved to be thrilling as Penn State made its move. McCarthy defeated Milosavljevic (7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (9-7)), Shular beat Kelder (1-6, 7-5, 6-4) and Holzberg took down Noe (6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4)).

"Michigan State has a solid team and a solid program," said head coach Dawna Prevette. "I am really proud of the girls and of the way they fought back today. I'm proud to be their coach."

The Nittany Lions will return home this weekend for their final stand at home. Penn State will host the No. 29 Hoosiers of Indiana and the No. 31 Buckeyes of Ohio State. Action begins Friday, April 18 at 3 p.m. Admission is free.

Final Score: Penn State 4, Michigan State 3

Doubles
1) Jenny Shular/Sarah Lotto (PSU) vs. Christine Bader/Whitney Wilson (MSU)
Winner: MSU 8-4
2) Lauren McCarthy/Lauren Holzberg (PSU) vs. Ana Milosavljevic/Manon Noe (MSU)
Winner: MSU 8-2
3) Katelyn BeVard/Dorothy Dohanics (PSU) vs. Stephanie Kelder/Lindsey Lonergan (MSU)
Winner: PSU 8-4

Singles
1) Katelyn BeVard (PSU) vs. Christine Bader (MSU)
Winner: MSU (6-1, 6-2)
2) Jenny Shular (PSU) vs. Stephanie Kelder (MSU)
Winner: PSU (1-6, 7-5, 6-4)
3) Lauren Holzberg (PSU) vs. Manon Noe (MSU)
Winner: PSU (6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4))
4) Dorothy Dohanics (PSU) vs. Lindsey Lonergan (MSU)
Winner: PSU (6-1, 6-3)
5) Lauren McCarthy (PSU) vs. Ana Milosavljevic (MSU)
Winner: PSU 7(7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (9-7))
6) Leyla Morzan (PSU) vs. Michelle Murphy (MSU)
Winner: MSU (6-2, 7-6 (7-4))

- Nittany Lions -