MACON, Ga. - Georgia Southern women's tennis got back on the winning track by picking up a 4-0 victory over in-state rival Mercer on Thursday afternoon in Macon, Ga.
The Eagles moved to 4-4 on the season with the win, while Mercer fell to 5-6 with the loss. Georgia Southern returns home to the Wallis Tennis Center on Sunday, hosting Presbyterian in a 10 a.m. matchup against the Blue Hose.
Georgia Southern captured the doubles point by claiming wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Sonja Keranen and Elizabeth Goines downed Francesca Franchi and Lauren Rich, 6-2, at the No. 2 spot, then Hannah Daniel and Sophie Wagemaker followed with a 6-2 win over Lekha Varudandi and Kristin Yordanova at No. 3.
In singles, the Eagles won the first set in four of six matches. Silvia Martinez Jimenez made the score 2-0 with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Naya Tillet at No. 2 singles, then Paula Hijos collected a 6-3, 6-2 win over Varudandi at No. 4 singles. Keranen then clinched the victory with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Franchi at No. 5 singles.
"It's never easy to play a good team on the road," Georgia Southern Head Women's Tennis Coach Sean McCaffrey said. "Mercer has some real fighters and the team is coached well. I was really impressed with how we immediately came out tough in doubles. Liz and Sonja, Sophie and Hannah, both of those teams took care of business and made smart doubles plays. Plus Silvy and Nadi were about to win when the doubles point was clinched.
"In singles, we had hot starts from Silvy and Sonja, which put some scoreboard pressure on Mercer. And we had great comebacks from Liz, Pauli and Sophie in their sets, along with Nadi really coming alive in her second set. But it was such a clutch match today from Sonja. She has really come alive! We will get back to campus and practice for a couple of days before getting ready to host Presbyterian on Sunday!"
RESULTS
Singles
Nadja Meier (GS) and Mary Courville (MU) 6-7, 6-1, unfinished
Silvia Martinez Jimenez (GS) def. Naya Tillet (MU) 6-0, 6-2
Lauren Rich (MU) led Sophie Wagemaker (GS) 7-6, 3-0, unfinished
Paula Hijos (GS) def. Lekha Varudandi (MU) 6-3, 6-2
Sonja Keranen (GS) def. Francesca Franchi (MU) 6-3, 6-3
Elizabeth Goines (GS) led Kristin Yordanova (MU) 7-5, 3-1, unfinished
Singles finish: 2, 4, 5
Doubles
Silvia Martinez Jimenez/Nadja Meier (GS) led Mary Courville/Naya Tillet (MU) 5-3, unfinished
Sonja Keranen/Elizabeth Goines (GS) def. Francesca Franchi/Lauren Rich (MU) 6-2
Hannah Daniel/Sophie Wagemaker (GS) def. Lekha Varudandi/Kristin Yordanova (MU) 6-2
Doubles finish: 2, 3
