Women?s Tennis Loses at No. 8 Northwestern
2/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Saturday, February 11, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. ?? Alabama women’s tennis had a tough day Saturday as it played its third consecutive road match and came up short against No. 8 Northwestern, 6-1.
“We got beat by a better team today,” Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz said. “We did good job of fighting but didn’t get it done. Their experience at the National Indoor Championships last week proved to be big during key points. I give Northwestern credit; they are playing at a high level right now.”
Mari Muller claimed Alabama’s only win on the day at No. 4 singles. Muller defeated Jamie Peisel in three sets and moved into a tie for the team-lead in victories with 11. Muller continues to show resiliency late in matches as she has now recorded three, three-set wins this season.
Northwestern was successful in neutralizing Alabama’s strength, which is the top half of its line-up. All three ranked players for NU picked up victories. No. 23 Cristelle Grier defeated No. 13 Robin Stephenson, 6-4, 6-1 and No. 12 Alexis Prousis knocked off Melissa Day, 6-1, 6-3. Grier and Prousis, ranked No. 8, also combined to defeat No. 15 Stephenson and Bentley in doubles.
Saturday’s loss drops Alabama to 0-3 for the first time since 1998. The Tide will stay in Evanston and attempt to rebound Sunday at 10 a.m. against Furman.
NU 6, Alabama 1
Doubles
No. 1- No. 8 Grier/Prousis def. No. 15 Stephenson/Bentley, UA 8-1
No. 2- Esseghir/Rose def. Muller/Brenes, UA 8-1
No. 3- Ghazal/Peisel def. Ayala/Day, UA 8-4
Order of finish: 2,1,3
Singles
No. 1- No. 23 Cristelle Grier def. No. 13 Robin Stephenson, UA 6-4, 6-1
No. 2- Georgia Rose def. Ashley Bentley, UA 6-7, 6-3, 1-0 (10-6)
No. 3- No. 12 Alexis Prousis def. Melissa Day, UA 6-1, 6-3
No. 4- Mari Muller, UA def. Jamie Peisel 6-3, 7-6, 1-0 (10-4)
No. 5- Feriel Esseghir def. Andrea Brenes, UA 6-2, 6-4*
No. 6- Nazlie Ghazal def. Godwin, UA 6-3, 6-1
Order of finish: 3,6,5,1,2,4 *clinched match
--UA--
