Bama Women's Tennis Dominates Razorbacks, 6-1
4/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
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The 29th-ranked Alabama women’s tennis team claimed its largest Southeastern Conference win in almost a year by defeating Arkansas 6-1 on Friday.
Alabama (7-11, 2-7 SEC) won the day’s first eight matches, clinched the match early and cruised to the win.
“We did a tremendous job of taking the match from them early,” head coach Jenny Mainz said. “I thought we played decisively and that was the key.”
For just the third time in nine SEC matches this season Alabama won the doubles point, this time sweeping all three doubles matches. The Tide is now 2-1 in SEC play when it wins the doubles point.
Melissa Day, who hadn’t played since an injury sidelined her on January 29, made her much-awaited return to the line-up for Alabama at No. 3 doubles with partner Mari Muller. Day and Muller, ranked 51st by the ITA, defeated Illiana Pacheco and Audrey Bordeleau, 8-5.
In singles, eighth-ranked Robin Stephenson and 58th-ranked Ashley Bentley continued their home dominance. Stephenson dispatched of 78th-ranked Vlatka Jovanovic quickly, winning 6-0, 6-0. Bentley also cruised, winning 6-3, 6-0 over Pacheco. Alabama is now 25-11 at the top two spots in the line-up this year and Bentley remains unbeaten at the UA Tennis Complex.
Andrea Brenes claimed a huge win at No. 6 singles. Entering Friday, Brenes hadn’t won since the season opener on January 22, however she turned in her most impressive performance of the season with a 6-1, 6-1 win.
Melissa Minor won for the 11th time this season and for the second consecutive match by beating Karina Ledaja, 6-1, 6-2 and Muller led 5-4 in the first set before her opponent retired.
“Brenes got a big win for us and played with a lot of confidence,” Mainz said. “This win should give us some momentum down the stretch as we move toward the post-season.”
Alabama will host LSU Sunday at 1 p.m. before closing out the regular season next week with South Alabama on Wednesday and rival Auburn on Saturday.
Tennis Match Results
Arkansas vs Alabama
Apr 08, 2005 at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
#29 Alabama 6, #64 Arkansas 1
Singles competition:
1. #8 Robin Stephenson (BAMA) def. #78 Vlatka Jovanovic (ARK) 6-0, 6-0
2. #58 Ashley Bentley (BAMA) def. Illiana Pacheco (ARK) 6-3, 6-0
3. Melissa Minor (BAMA) def. Karina Ledaja (ARK) 6-1, 6-2
4. Mari Muller (BAMA) def. #112 Maryori Franco (ARK) 5-4, retired
5. Melissa Cornett (ARK) def. Natalie McElveen (BAMA) 7-6, 3-6, 1-0 (10-2)
6. Anrdea Brenes (BAMA) def. Audrey Bordeleau (ARK) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition:
1. Robin Stephenson/Natalie McElveen (BAMA) def. Vlatka Jovanovic/Melissa Cornett (ARK) 8-2
2. Ashley Bentley/Melissa Minor (BAMA) def. Maryori Franco/Karina Ledaja (ARK) 8-2
3. #51 Mari Muller/Melissa Day (BAMA) def. Illiana Pacheco/Audrey Bordeleau (ARK) 8-5
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,2,1,3,6,5)
PHOTO GALLERY
(Photos by Jeff Hanson)
