Georgia Southern women's tennis moved to 2-1 on the young season with a 6-1 victory over host South Carolina State on Monday afternoon in Orangeburg, S.C.
The Eagles took the doubles point from the Bulldogs (1-2), then won five of six singles matches for the victory in Georgia Southern's first action in eight days due to weather.
Ninon Martinache and Lindsay Tulenko notched a quick 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles, then Nanaka Kijima and Ana Tsitavets clinched the doubles point with a 6-4 win at No. 3 doubles. Liv Ryan and Sophie Wagemaker completed the doubles sweep by outlasting Sofya Chursina and Semlali Hind, 7-6 (9), at No. 1 doubles.
The Eagles then won four straight-set matches in singles to clinch the win. Lindsay Tulenko, Tsitavets, Paula Hijos and Kijima all collected straight set wins. Sonja Keranen rounded out the match by coming from a set down to defeat Malannia Vashkevich, 5-7, 6-2, (13-11) at No. 6 singles.
"I am very impressed with our women today," Georgia Southern Head Women's Tennis Coach Sean McCaffrey said. "Each of our Eagles stepped up and contributed to the victory, even after missing one of our starting ladies. They each embraced the 'next woman up' mentality and they did, indeed, rise to the challenge. I was so impressed in singles with Lindsay, Nanaka and Ana. They executed the game plan perfectly. And doubles with Lindsay and Ninon was on point. Now we will take a day to recover, then get ready for a challenging weekend of play in Charleston, S.C."
Results
Singles
- Lindsay Tulenko (GS) def. Sofya Chursina (SCSU) 6-3, 6-2
- Ana Tsitavets (GS) def. Rachida Berjane (SCSU) 6-2, 6-0
- Teodora Vujicic (SCSU) def. Ninon Martinache (GS) 6-4, 7-5
- Nanaka Kijima (GS) def. Semlali Hind (SCSU) 6-0, 6-3
- Paula Hijos (GS) def. Nalanda Teixeria (SCSU) 6-3, 6-4
- Sonja Keranen (GS) def. Malannia Vashkevich (SCSU) 5-7, 6-2, (13-11)
Doubles
- Liv Ryan/Sophie Wagemaker (GS) def. Sofya Chursina/Semlali Hind (SCSU) 7-6 (9)
- Ninon Martinache/Lindsay Tulenko (GS) def. Teodora Vujicic/Nalanda Teixeria (SCSU) 6-2
- Nanaka Kijima/Ana Tsitavets (GS) def. Rachida Berjane/Malannia Vashkevich (SCSU) 6-4