?Bama Women?s Tennis Falls to LSU, 5-2
4/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- The singles lineup was the deciding factor in LSU's 5-2 win over Alabama today at the UA Varsity Courts. Both teams braved the wind and the cold as they battled for a win in the prominent Southeastern conference.
"I thought we played a good match today and fought hard," said Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz. "I was pleased with the way we came out ready for the match and the way we competed. We had to fight for the doubles point and we had a good win at No. 1 doubles. They were down three match points against a really good LSU team and came back to win."
Alabama came out strong, capturing the doubles point for the third time in conference play. The Crimson Tide battled LSU on all three courts, eventually picking up wins at Nos. 1 and 2. Alabama's Shelley Godwin and Bianca Svensson defeated Hannah Robinson and Anastasiya Dubova, 8-6, at the No. 2 slot, giving the Tide its first win.
On court one, Mari Muller and Andrea Brenes upset No. 42 Megan Falcon and Mykala Hedberg, 9-8 (1), to clinch the point. The pair was down 8-7 before winning two consecutive games and the tie-breaker to secure the doubles point for the Tide.
Trailing 1-0 heading into the singles lineup, LSU owned the first five matches giving the Tigers a 5-1 lead and the match. Alabama's Nicole Briceno defeated Mykala Hedberg, 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (7), giving the Tide its only singles victory.
"In singles, LSU came out and engaged early to win the matches. We fought hard and put ourselves in a good position, we just came up short. This team is working diligently and getting better at recognizing opportunities and capitalizing on them. We have moved forward and we are getting closer to where we want to be."
Alabama faces Arkansas Sunday at 1:00 pm at the UA Varsity Courts. Live stats will be available through www.rolltide.com and admission is free.
-UA-
No. 63 Alabama 2, No. 39 LSU 5
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
UA Varsity Courts
Time: 7 hrs. 45 min.
Results:
Singles Competition
1. No. 3 Megan Falcon (LSU) def. Mari Muller (UA) 6-1, 6-1
2. Nicole Briceno (UA) def. Mykala Hedberg (LSU) 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (7)
3. Nicole Kantor (LSU) def. Shelley Godwin (UA) 6-3, 6-4
4. Hannah Robinson (LSU) def. Alice Tunaru (UA) 6-0, 7-5
5. Staten Spencer (LSU) def. Bianca Svensson (UA) 6-2, 6-3
6. Anastasiya Dubova (LSU) def. Paulina Bigos (UA) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles Competition
1. Mari Muller/Andrea Brenes (UA) def. No. 42 Megan Falcon/Mykala Hedberg (LSU) 9-8 (1)
2. Bianca Svensson/Shelley Godwin (UA) def. Hannah Robinson/Anastasiya Dubova (LSU) 8-6
3. Nicole Kantor/Staten Spencer (LSU) def. Paulina Bigos/Nicole Briceno (UA) 8-6
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1*); Singles (1,5,4,3*,6,2)
