Eagles Conclude Regular Season with 5-2 victory over Chattanooga
4/12/2008 4:24:00 AM | Women's Tennis
STATESBORO, Ga. ? Despite a two hour rain delay, the Georgia Southern women's tennis team ousted the Mocs of Chattanooga 5-2 on Saturday afternoon, in the final regular season match of the season, at the Hanner Tennis Complex in Statesboro.
The Eagles notched their 10th victory of the season in senior Kelli Helm's (Cairo, Ga.) home finale. GSU finishes out the regular season with a .500 record and improved their conference mark to 3-6 heading into the conference tournament, which begins this Thursday, April 17, in Charleston. S.C.
Georgia Southern gained the early advantage sweeping all three matches in doubles competition. At the No. 1 doubles position, the tandem of Christine CaforioAcworth, Ga.) and Kristi Kegerreis (Fairfax, Va.) were successful 8-5, downing Chattanooga's duo of Lindsey Ballard and Grace Robinette. The freshmen pair of Ali Beavers (Kingsport, Tenn.) and Melanie Rolle (Gainesville, Fla.) earned their 12th victory of the season from the No. 2 seed, dropping Bonnie Adams and Beata Knizat 8-7(4). Jessica Matlosz (Alpharetta, Ga.) and Emma Knight (Duluth, Ga.) were victorious at the No. 3 slot defeating Annie Green and Kate Ksiezopolski by an 8-2 decision.
In singles action, GSU topped the Mocs in four of the six matches. Helms improved to (4-0) on the season, ousting Arianna Sanjines in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 7-5, from the No. 6 slot. Beavers earned the 14th victory of her freshman campaign defeating Adams 6-2, 6-0 from the No. 3 seed. Kegerreis downed Ballard 6-3, 6-3 from the No. 1 position, while Rolle was victorious at No. 2 singles defeating Robinette 7-6(6), 6-0.
"Today was a really big win for us," said GSU coach Amy Bonner. "Hopefully, it will give us the momentum that we need heading into the conference tournament." "I am really proud of the way we fought, especially coming out of the rain delay. Chattanooga was a good team and I think today's match will help set the tone as we head to Charleston on Thursday. It was great to see Kelli (Helms) compete hard in her last collegiate match and we're glad we were able to come away with the win for her."
The Eagles return to the hard-courts Thursday, as they travel to Charleston, S.C. for the conference tournament. The matchups are to be determined.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN 5, CHATTANOOGA 2
Doubles:
- Caforio/Kegerreis (GSU) def. Ballard/Robinette (UTC) 8-5
- Beavers/Rolle (GSU) def. Adams/Knizat (UTC) 8-7(4)
- Knight/Matlosz (GSU) def. Green/Ksiezopolski (UTC) 8-2
Singles:
- Kristi Kegerreis (GSU) def. Lindsey Ballard (UTC) 6-3, 6-3
- Melanie Rolle (GSU) def. Grace Robinette (UTC) 7-6(6), 6-0
- Ali Beavers (GSU) def. Bonnie Adams (UTC) 6-2, 6-0
- Beata Knizat (UTC) def. Molly Maddox (GSU) 6-4, 6-3
- Annie Green (UTC) def. Jessica Fuller (GSU) 6-2, 6-4
- Kelli Helms (GSU) def. Arianna Sanjines (UTC) 6-1, 4-6, 7-5
