Atlanta, Ga. – The Eagles defeated the Arkansas State Red Wolves 5-2 Saturday behind stellar doubles play, and help from the bottom half of the singles line-up.
"I am very pleased with how we competed as a team today," said Head Coach Michelle Stanford. "We had a great start by taking the doubles point after a long battle, and the team maintained their focus and positive energy throughout all of their singles matches. We are all very excited about our first Sun Belt win!"
Francisca Norregaard and
Daria Vasekina were setback by Jeregic and Slijepceric 3-8 at No. 2 doubles to begin the match. Needing to clinch the remaining 2 doubles matches to earn the crucial doubles point, the Eagles responded when
Mary Phillips Smith and
Anne Kurzweil defeated Craaguery and Pisani 8-3 in the No. 1 position.
At No. 3 doubles,
Jordana Klein and
Giulia Riepe battled to secure the doubles point by claiming victory over Heeps-Erikson and Krsmanovic 8-4.
Going in to singles play up 1-0 in the overall match, it was the Red Wolves who would tie it up when Klein fell at No. 1 singles to Slijepceric 1-6, 1-6. Riepe was next to finish as she handled Heeps-Erikson 6-3, 6-2 to tilt the match 2-1 in favor of the Eagles at the No. 4 position.
Vasekina added an exclamation point and made it 3-1 for Georgia Southern as she bounced Jeregic 6-3, 6-2 at No. 5. Norregaard got the match-winner in the No. 6 position as she defeated Iurcheko 6-1, 7-5.
With the match clinched, Phillips fell at No. 2 singles to Craaguery 5-7, 6-3, 10-14. Kurzweil, however, was able to defeat Pisani 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 to make the match total 5-2 in favor of the Eagles.
The Eagles will take their 6-2 record to Jacksonville, Alabama Sunday as they challenge the Jacksonville State Gamecocks beginning at 12 p.m.
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