Georgia Southern 5, Florida Gulf Coast 1
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern Women's Tennis team picked up a 5-1 win over Florida Gulf Coast (4-4) Wednesday, March 9th at the Hanner Tennis Complex. After a week off from competition, the Eagles came out strong, capturing five of the six singles points for the final score as inclement weather wiped out doubles play. The win improved Georgia Southern's season record to 4-4.
"I was proud of the way our team competed today," said Georgia Southern Head Coach Amy Bonner. "We needed a good win after two hard losses last week. We came out strong and never let up and we hope to carry this momentum into tomorrow's match and the conference matches this weekend."
Senior Ali Beavers started the Eagles off with wins in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, over FGCU's Morgan Bechtel at the number-two seed. GSU's Natalie Maffett kept the ball rolling at number-four singles with a 6-2, 6-0 decision over Bibiana Almeida. Junior Alessandra Dzuba won her fourth match of the year with a 6-4, 6-3 decision over Jen Evans at the number-six seed.
After falling behind in the first set, 5-7, at number-five singles, senior Ashley Hungerford posted a 6-1 win in the second set and closed with a 6-0 shutout in the final set. Number-one seed, freshman Paola Garrido finished the scoring with straight set wins over FGCU's Iris Rendon 6-3, 6-3.
Georgia Southern continues play this week as it welcomes non-conference opponent Stetson to the Hanner Tennis Complex on Thursday, March 10th before opening Southern Conference play at Davidson and Appalachian State this weekend.
Florida International 6, College of Charleston 1
MIAMI, Fla. - The College of Charleston women's tennis team closed out its Spring Break trip to the Sunshine State with a tough 6-1 non-conference loss at No. 58-ranked Florida International on Wednesday night at the FIU Tennis Courts.
The Cougars (3-5) picked up their lone point of the dual match from senior Emma Hayman (Wanganui, New Zealand) who defeated Christine Seredni in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, at No. 2 singles.
The Panthers (6-5) won two of three doubles matches to gain the early momentum as Seredni and partner Giulietta Boha pulled off a 9-8 (4) victory over senior Kinsey Casey and junior Katie Lee at the No. 2 line to clinch the doubles point.
It wasn't a complete doubles sweep as the CofC sister tandem of junior Caroline Newman and sophomore Christin Newman improved their record to an undefeated 4-0 on the season with an 8-6 win over FIU's Lisa Johnson and Rita Maisak at No. 3.
"We lost three match points to win the doubles point which seemed to give Florida International confidence going into singles," CofC Director of Tennis Angelo Anastopoulo said. "They gained an early jump on us and we had our heads down a little too much going into singles. Emma played really well for us today and we hope she can continue to play at that level for the remainder of the season. We learned that when you come up a little short in doubles, you have to fight so much more in singles."
CofC will return home in preparation for a Sunday, March 13, doubleheader versus Jacksonville State at 11 a.m. (ET) followed by a nightcap with crosstown rival Charleston Southern at 4 p.m. (ET).