Tide Women?s Tennis Downs UT-Chattanooga, 5-2
2/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.-The No. 62 Alabama women's tennis team defeated UT-Chattanooga, 5-2, today at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility.
"I want to commend UT-Chattanooga for their spirit today because they have had some misfortune lately and they did a good job of coming here and playing hard," said head coach Jenny Mainz. "As for the match, we got it done on a night where we struggled in a lot of positions. The focus now is on Oklahoma and we are going to go through this week trying to iron through some areas we are struggling in."
Alabama started off strong against the Mocs, sweeping the doubles and jumping out to an early lead.
Alabama's Shelley Godwin and Bianca Svensson cruised by Samantha Duggan and Celeste Nicholson, 8-1 in the No. 3 doubles spot, while Nicole Briceno and Paulina Bigos defeated Bonnie Adams and Beata Knizat of UT-Chattanooga, 8-6, clinching the doubles point.
Mari Muller and Sofia Ayala teamed up for the second time this season, defeating Anastasia Zhukova and Lindsey Ballard, 9-8, at the No. 1 slot. The duo is a perfect 2-0 on the season.
The Tide returned to the court up 1-0 after doubles but quickly saw their lead slip away. The Mocs tied the score at one point a piece after Alabama's Ayala was forced to retire in the first set. Alabama retaliated with two consecutive wins to regain the lead after the third singles match, 3-1. The Mocs immediately answered back and moved within one point of the Tide, heading into the final two singles matches. Alabama claimed a quick victory to seal the match, and fought to earn the final point.
"Shelley Godwin winning in two sets at No. 2 was a huge confidence boost for her as well as the rest of the team," said Mainz. "She took control of the match and played the big points not allowing a third set."
Alabama's Briceno picked up her fourth consecutive win at the No. 4 slot, defeating Bonnie Adams in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, while Alice Tunaru shut out Chattanooga's Celeste Nicholson, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 5. Tunaru's win marks the first shut-out victory for the Tide this season.
Bigos clinched the match for Alabama for the first time this season, cruising by Samantha Duggan, 6-0, 6-1. Bigos saw action in the singles lineup today for the first time in the 2007 dual match season, earning her first singles victory. Godwin picked up the Tide's final point, defeating Lindsey Ballard in a tie-breaker, 7-5, 6-6(7). After trailing in the second set, Godwin fought back to force the tie-breaker and eventually win the match.
The Tide's Ayala retired in the first set after being down 2-0 to Beata Knizat.
Alabama hosts Oklahoma next Saturday, Feb. 24 at noon at either the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility or the UA outdoor courts, depending on the weather.
--UA--
Results
Singles:
1. No. 23 Anastasia Zhukova (UTC) def. Mari Muller (UA) 6-1, 6-3
2. Shelley Godwin (UA) def. Lindsey Ballard (UTC) 7-5, 6-6(7)
3. Beata Knizat (UTC) def. Sofia Ayala (UA) 2-0 (ret.)
4. Nicole Briceno (UA) def. Bonnie Adams (UTC) 6-3, 6-1
5. Alice Tunaru (UA) def. Celeste Nicholson (UTC) 6-0, 6-0
6. Paulina Bigos (UA) def. Samantha Duggan (UTC) 6-0, 6-1
Order of finish: 3,4,5,1,6,2
Doubles:
1. Mari Muller/Sofia Ayala (UA) def. Anastasia Zhukova/Lindsey Ballard (UTC) 9-8
2. Nicole Briceno/Paulina Bigos (UA) def. Bonnie Adams/Beata Knizat (UTC) 8-6
3. Shelley Godwin/Bianca Svensson (UA) def. Samantha Duggan/Celeste Nicholson (UTC) 8-1
Order of finish: 3,2,1
