The College of Staten Island lost for the first time in conference play this season, falling to Hunter College in a match played at the National Tennis Center this evening, 7-2.  The match, which lasted just over four hours was heavily contested despite the final score, seeing three individual flights go into a third set.  CSI fell to 2-4 overall and 2-1 in conference play while the Hawks lifted their marks to 2-2, and 1-0 respectively.

Play got started with doubles and it did not take long for Hunter to tally, scoring an 8-0 decision at No. 3 via the team of Stephanie Ahwileng and Angelina Usherenko.  Hunter followed with a win at the top spot, 8-3, before CSI struck with their first point with a win at No. 2 Doubles.  There, the team of Ilona Stoyko and Mediha Mulla were sharp in an 8-5 win over Caroline Kaleda and Beth Chapnick.

When play turned to Singles, the level of play for both teams escalated.  CSI's Jean Baak was first off of the court, scoring a decisive, 6-0, 6-3, win over Kaleda at the No. 3 spot, knotting the score at 2-2.  That was as close as CSI would get though as Hunter won the rest of the matches, but not without a fight.

After taking wins at Nos. 5 and 6, the Hawks had a 4-2 lead and needed only one more flight to clinch.  The remaining three flights all went a third and final set.  In the pole position, Hunter's Shena Joseph rallied to defeat CSI's Sabrina Bragerton-Nasert, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to finally record the win for Hunter.  Shortly thereafter, Ahwileng managed to sneak past Mulla in the No. 4 position, via a 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 10-6, final.  In the No. 2 position, HC's Gina Yeo was able to get passed Stoyko, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.

CSI will now return to action on Saturday when they travel to Union, New Jersey, to take on Kean University in non-conference action at 11:30am.