Women?s Tennis Roll Over Furman, 7-0
2/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Sunday, February 12, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. ?? The Alabama (1-3) women’s tennis team claimed its first victory of the season Sunday with a convincing 7-0 win over Furman.
For just the second time this year, the Crimson Tide put itself out in front early by winning the double point. Alabama carried that momentum into singles where it swept all six singles matches.
Freshman Shelley Godwin picked up the match-clinching win at No. 6 as she defeated Natasa Marojlovic 6-1, 6-1 to earn her first collegiate dual-match victory.
“We’ve been struggling in doubles to start the year,” Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz said, “but today we came out and played well. I was really impressed with how we came out and played with a lot of intensity and fire in singles.”
The Tide received solid production from its top three spots in the singles line-up Sunday. Both Robin Stephenson and Ashley Bentley cruised to straight set wins at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively and moved up the school’s list of all-time victories in the process. Stephenson’s win moves her into a tie at sixth place with 79 wins while Bentley now sits in a tie at eighth place with 78 wins. Both players are now within 10 wins of the school’s all-time record.
Mari Muller answered the call as well at No. 3 singles. Mainz moved Muller up in the line-up after her impressive win Friday. Sunday she defeated Lauren Osborne, 7-5, 6-0.
Alabama also picked up big wins from Melissa Day and Andrea Brenes. Both fought back to win in three sets after losing the opening set.
“We responded well to the challenge today,” Mainz said. “I think everyone faced some challenges during their match and everyone pulled through for us. It’s a good place to start. It’s nice to establish ourselves and find our stride now.”
Alabama will get to ready to host its first matches of the season this weekend. Alabama will play on back-to-back days for the second consecutive weekend as Georgia Tech and Texas Teach come to Tuscaloosa this weekend.
Alabama 7, Furman 0
Doubles
No. 1-Stephenson/Bentley (UA) def. Gioia/Morris (Furman), 8-1
No. 2-Muller/Day (UA) def. Osborne/Moore (Furman), 8-6
No. 3-Eckert/Manojlovic (Furman) def. Brenes/Godwin (UA), 8-3
Singles
No. 1- Robin Stephenson (UA) def. Laura Gioia (Furman), 6-0, 6-0
No. 2- Ashley Bentley (UA) def. Marti Morris (Furman), 6-1, 6-1
No. 3- Mari Muller (UA) def. Lauren Osborne (Furman), 7-5, 6-0
No. 4- Melissa Day (UA) def. Shannon Moore (Furman), 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-4)
No. 5- Andrea Brenes (UA) def. Bonnie Baird (Furman), 6-7, 6-1, 1-0 (10-6)
No. 6- Shelley Godwin (UA) def. Natasa Marojlovic (Furman), 6-1, 6-1??
*Denotes match clinching win
