Alabama's Comeback Falls Short at Georgia Tech
2/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
 |
|
No. 37 Alabama dropped its second consecutive match Wednesday to fall to 2-3 on the season with a 4-3 loss to No. 23 Georgia Tech (4-0).
Alabama dug a hole for itself early by losing all three doubles matches and falling behind 1-0 and was never able to recover. No. 12 Robin Stephenson and Ashley Bentley's (7-5) struggles in doubles continued as they lost for the third time in four matches. Wednesday they lost to No. 16 Alison Silverio and Kristi Miller.
"Georgia Tech is a good team," Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz said. "I feel like we fought them hard but the key for us has been doubles. We have to start putting ourselves in a position where we have a chance to win and not have to fight from behind every match."
All three of Alabama's losses this season have come after the Tide has dropped the doubles point.
Despite the early struggles, Alabama played well in singles and nearly fought back for the win. Four singles matches were stretched to three sets. Alabama won three of the four. After a pair of victories over ranked opponents by No. 8 Stephenson and No. 75 Bentley at the top of the lineup, Alabama looked to be in position to make a run. The Tide led in all remaining matches. However, Georgia Tech's Lyndsay Shosho fought back from a 4-0 third-set deficit to clinch the match with a win over the Tide's Mari Muller, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
Natalie McElveen won for the first time in dual match competition this season. Playing at No. 6 singles, McElveen showed great fight in defeating Whitney McCray in three sets. All three of McElveen's matches in dual match play have gone three sets. Wednesday she finally found herself on the winning side.
The loss at Georgia Tech concludes Alabama's four-match road swing that saw the Tide go 1-3. Alabama will return to the friendly confines of the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility on Sunday for its first home match since the season opener. The match vs. Rice will begin at 11 a.m. Live stats will be available at www.rolltide.com.
No. 23 GEORGIA TECH (4-0) 4, No. 37 ALABAMA (2-3) 3
Bill Moore Tennis Center
Doubles:
1. (16) Alison Silverio/Kristi Miller (GT) d. (12) Robin Stephenson/Ashley Bentley (A), 8-4
2. (58) Lyndsay Shosho/Kelly Anderson (GT) d. Melissa Minor/Natalie McElveen (A), 8-1
3. Whitney/McCray/Esther van London (GT) d. Sonja Nikolic/Maria Muller (A), 8-6
Singles
1. (8) Robin Stephenson (A) d. (18) Kristi Miller (GT), 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
2. (75) Ashley Bentley (A) d. (79) Kelly Anderson (GT), 6-2, 6-7, 6-0
3. Dasha Potapova (GT) d. Melissa Minor (A), 6-2, 6-3
4. Alison Silverio (GT) d. Andrea Brenes (A), 6-1, 6-2
5. *Lyndsay Shosho (GT) d. Maria Muller (A), 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
6. Natalie McElveen (A) d. Whitney McCray (GT), 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
*Clinching match
