Women's Tennis Claims Victory Over Murray State
2/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
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The University of Alabama women’s tennis team rebounded from Friday night’s loss and won its fourth match of the season Saturday with a 6-1 win over the Murray State Racers. The win was the Tide’s largest margin of victory since a 6-1 win over Denver to open the season.
Alabama (4-4) seized control of the momentum early by winning all three doubles matches and never let go. It was the third time this season that Alabama has swept the doubles matches and is now a perfect 4-0 when it wins the doubles point.
“We needed this win today,” head coach Jenny Mainz said. “Winning the doubles point was big for us because that’s been a challenge for us this season. I also thought this team did a great job of coming back after playing last night and being a great second day team.”
Alabama continued to roll in singles, winning five of the six contests. The clinching victory for Alabama came at No. 1 singles by Robin Stephenson. Stephenson (17-7), ranked sixth by the ITA, won in straight sets over Anna Lask, 6-1, 6-1. Stephenson’s single’s victory came after Mari Muller (10-11) and Natalie McElveen (7-6) each claimed victory at the No. 5 and No. 6 singles positions respectively to push the Tide to the brink of victory.
Ashley Bentley continued her quest for another 20-win season by claiming win No. 16 on the season. Bentley (16-4) won at No. 2 singles over Jaclyn Leeper, 6-0, 6-2 and is by far the hottest Alabama athlete. Bentley has won seven consecutive sets and has won 42 of her last 46 games. She has now won eight straight matches dating back to November 2004.
Melissa Minor also won on the day to improve to 8-9 on the season.
Next for Alabama will be Georgia in Athens, Ga. as the Tide begins Southeastern Conference play on Friday, March 4. Alabama’s next home match is Sunday, March 6 against SEC foe Tennessee at 1 p.m.
Tennis Match Results
Murray State vs Alabama
Feb 26, 2005 at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
#34 Alabama 6, Murray State 1
Singles competition:
1. #6 Robin Stephenson (BAMA) def. Anna Lask (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
2. #83 Ashley Bentley (BAMA) def. Jaclyn Leeper (MSU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Melissa Minor (BAMA) def. Jennifer Ward (MSU) 6-2, 6-0
4. Rachael Lask (MSU) def. Anrdea Brenes (BAMA) 6-1, 6-4
5. Mari Muller (BAMA) def. Casady Pruitt (MSU) 6-0, 6-2
6. Natalie McElveen (BAMA) def. Tami McQueen (MSU) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition:
1. #17 Ashley Bentley/Robin Stephenson (BAMA) def. Anna Lask/Rachael Lask (MSU) 8-1
2. Mari Muller/Anrdea Brenes (BAMA) def. Jennifer Ward/Casady Pruitt (MSU) 8-5
3. Natalie McElveen/Melissa Minor (BAMA) def. Jaclyn Leeper/Whitney Robards (MSU) 8-4
Match Notes:
Alabama 4-4; National ranking #34
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (5,6,1,2,3,4)
