Women's Tennis Opens SoCon Play with 6-1 Win over Western Carolina

STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern women’s tennis team opened Southern Conference play on Sunday, downing the Catamounts of Western Carolina (0-6, 0-2 SoCon) by a 6-1 decision at the Hanner Tennis Complex.

The Eagles (5-4, 1-0 SoCon) defeated Western Carolina by the identical score a year ago in Cullowhee, N.C.

GSU picked up the doubles point winning two of the three doubles matches. Freshmen Ali Beavers (Kingsport, Tenn.) and Melanie Rolle (Gainesville, Fla.) notched their eighth consecutive victory, ousting Western Carolina’s pair of Susanna Sjokvist and Emily Turke 8-0 from the No. 2 position. Juniors Jessica Matlosz (Alpharetta, Ga.) and Emma Knight (Duluth, Ga.) improved to (4-0) in doubles play defeating Amanda Massey and Mariona Trilla by a final of 8-1.

Georgia Southern earned wins in five of the six singles matches. Rolle and Beavers both earned their seventh victory of the season, which gives them a tie for the team lead in dual competition. Rolle defeated Trish Hanson from the No. 2 seed in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, while Beavers beat Massey 6-1, 6-1 from the No. 3 slot. Jessica Fuller (Cartersville, Ga.) took down Turke 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 6 position giving her a dual record of 6-2.

“We played really hard today,” said GSU coach Amy Bonner. “I am proud of the way we have battled this season. Today’s match should help increase our confidence level as we head into our next couple of matches.”

GSU returns to the hard-courts tomorrow as they play host to Tennessee Tech. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

Doubles:

1. Trish Hanson/Tessie Salame (WCU) d. Kristi Kegerreis/Christine Caforio (GSU) 8-6
2. Melanie Rolle/Ali Beavers (GSU) d. Susanna Sjokvist/Emily Turke (WCU) 8-0
3. Jessica Matlosz/Emma Knight (GSU) d. Amanda Massey/Mariona Trilla Jane (WCU) 8-1

Singles:

1. Tessie Salame (WCU) d. Kristi Kegerreis (GSU) 6-3, 4-6, 10-8
2. Melanie Rolle (GSU) d. Trish Hanson (WCU) 6-1, 6-3
3. Ali Beavers (GSU) d. Amanda Massey (WCU) 6-1, 6-1
4. Molly Maddox (GSU) d. Mariona Trilla Jane (WCU) 7-5, 6-2
5. Emma Knight (GSU) d. Susanna Sjokvist (WCU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Jessica Fuller (GSU) d. Emily Turke (WCU) 6-2, 6-1

Category: Women's Tennis

Published on Sunday, 02 March 2008 00:02