STATESBORO - Georgia Southern women's tennis celebrated Senior Day 2022 by defeating Louisiana, 4-2, in Sun Belt Conference action on Sunday morning at the Wallis Tennis Center.
The Eagles moved to 8-7 overall and 2-3 in the league with their second straight win, while Louisiana fell to 6-7 overall and 2-5 in the Sun Belt. Georgia Southern is next in action on Wednesday, hosting Mercer for a 2 pm non-conference match at Wallis.
Prior to the match, Georgia Southern honored its three seniors in a ceremony. Hannah Daniel, Mila Hartig and Elizabeth Goines were all recognized for being part of the most successful four-year period of Eagle women's tennis in more than 30 years.
When play began, Daniel and Goines were key in giving the Eagles the doubles point against the Ragin' Cajuns. Daniel teamed with Sophie Wagemaker to defeat AK Harvey and Lucie Raquin, 6-4, at No. 3 doubles. Goines teamed with Sonja Keranen to knock off Carla Urchoeguia and Momoko Yoshimura, 6-4, at No. 1 doubles.
The Eagles built a 3-0 lead thanks to straight-set wins by Paula Hijos at No. 2 singles and Keranen at No. 4 singles. But the Ragin' Cajuns got two points on straight set wins of their own at No. 3 and No. 5 singles.
Daniel then delivered the clinching point by battling past Angel Santiago in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, at No. 6 singles for the victory.
"It's so fitting to end a senior day with one of our seniors clinching the match," Georgia Southern Head Women's Tennis Coach Sean McCaffrey said. "Hannah battled so hard through an extremely feisty opponent, and the wind, to come through with an incredibly hard-earned victory for the team. I can't thank our seniors enough. Liz, Hannah and Mila have been so dedicated to the program and have left a huge positive mark on Georgia Southern tennis. There is no doubt that because of their contributions both on and off the court, they are leaving the program in a better place than when they arrived.
"This team continues to impress me," McCaffrey said. "Our doubles pairs have been stepping up and the work they put in during training has absolutely paid off. I'm so proud of their selfless attitude when trying to improve and do the little things right. It makes such a difference. And today, in singles, Pauli and Sonja really stepped up and took care of business quickly. This definitely put some scoreboard pressure on Louisiana. They are both playing some fantastic tennis. And, of course, Hannah stepping up and winning 7-5 in the third set to seal the win was a perfect way to end the day. Now we need to rest for a bit and get ready for a very challenging Sun Belt trip to Texas next week, after hosting Mercer on Wednesday."
RESULTS
Singles
Tanisha Kashyap (LA) led Silvia Martinez Jimenez (GS) 5-7, 7-6, 3-1, unfinished
Paula Hijos (GS) def. Catarina Zheng (LA) 6-3, 6-1
Carla Urchoeguia (LA) def. Sophie Wagemaker (GS) 6-3, 7-5
Sonja Keranen (GS) def. Lucie Raquin (LA) 6-3, 6-1
Momoko Yoshimura (LA) def. Elizabeth Goines (GS) 7-6, 6-1
Hannah Daniel (GS) def. Angel Santiago (LA) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
Singles finish: 4, 2, 5, 3, 6
Doubles
Elizabeth Goines/Sonja Keranen (GS) def. Carla Urchoeguia/Momoko Yoshimura (LA) 6-4
Angel Santiago/Catarina Zheng (LA) led Silvia Martinez Jimenez/Paula Hijos (GS) 5-4, unfinished
Hannah Daniel/Sophie Wagemaker (GS) def. AK Harvey/Lucie Raquin (LA) 6-4
Doubles finish: 3, 1
