Women's Tennis | 4/2/2016 6:00:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga.- In the midst of the last weekend at home, the Georgia Southern women's tennis team won their first conference match of the season to earn a 1-2 Sun Belt record. During Saturday's match, the Eagles won four singles matches to clinch their 10^th victory this season.
 
"I am extremely proud of the way that our team fought on court today! All of the hard work that they have been putting in this semester is definitely starting to show in our competition," head coach Michele Stanford said. "ULM is a very consistent team and we had to continue staying aggressive with every point we played."
 
Because of rain delays, the teams started off with singles competition. In an intense line six match, Mary Phillips Smith won it in the tiebreaker to seal the deal for Georgia Southern and clinch the match before doubles.
 
"We had to play some smart tennis in order to win those four singles points, and it was very exciting to watch Phil save match points and clinch the match with a third set tiebreak win," Stanford said. "Today, our team was fearless, and I am beyond proud of them for getting our first conference win of the season!"
 
The Warhawks and the Eagles started off neck-and-neck both winning one apiece. Emilia Bujan got GS on the board first off of her 6-1, 6-3 line four win. Giulia Riepe and Francisca Norregaard won their matches in straight sets to put the Eagles up by two.
 
Courts two and six went into third sets, but Mariana Ranzahuer ultimately lost 6-4, 2-6, 0-6 which brought the score to 3-2 with the Eagles still ahead. The fate of the match was in Smith's hands and the result would determine if the teams competed in doubles or not.
 
After falling behind early in the third set, Smith plowed through to bring it to the tiebreaker where she finished it 7-5.
 
The Eagles play Savannah State on Sunday at noon for both the GATA Game and Senior Day, where they honor Mary Phillips Smith and Francisca Norregaard.
 
RESULTS
Georgia Southern 4, ULM 2
 
Singles competition
1. Giulia Riepe (GS) def. Pauline Van Herck (ULM) 6-1, 6-3
2. Petra Horakova (ULM) def. Mariana Ranzahuer (GS) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0
3. Tiffany Mylonas (ULM) def. Lindsay Truscott (GS) 6-3, 6-0
4. Emilia Bujan (GS) def. Patricia Villar (ULM) 6-1, 6-3
5. Francisca Norregaard (GS) def. Ioana Popescu (ULM) 6-4, 6-4
6. Mary Phillips Smith (GS) def. Luana Stanciu (ULM) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6
 
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