STATESBORO - Battling through three rain delays totalling more than three hours, the Georgia Southern women's tennis team finally knocked off App State, 4-3, in Sun Belt Conference action on Saturday in the regular season finale for both teams.
The Eagles finish the 2022 regular season at 12-10 overall and 4-6 in the Sun Belt Conference, and now turn their attention to defending their conference tournament title. The 2022 Sun Belt Conference Tournament begins on Thursday, April 21. The Eagles are the seventh seed and will face No. 10 seed Louisiana at 2 p.m. on April 21. App State falls to 5-16 overall and 3-7 in the league.
The match began at 9 am with doubles action as App State would claim the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles.
Singles play began with the Eagles collecting a pair of first set wins before the first rain delay came. After a brief start-and-stop period, play resumed for good and all first sets were completed, with Georgia Southern winning five of the first six sets.
At 11:46 AM, rains began falling more heavily resulting in suspension of play. Play resumed at 2:28 p.m. with the Eagles quickly picking up a pair of straight-set single wins as Sonja Keranen downed Ellie Murphy, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 3 singles, while Paula Hijos defeated Erika Dodridge, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 2 singles.
The Mountaineers fought back to tie things up with a win at No. 1 singles in straight sets, then took a 3-2 lead with a win at No. 4 singles in three sets. Elizabeth Goines was pushed to a third set in her match at No. 6 singles, but won the final set 6-0 to even the match at 3-all.
Mila Hartig then delivered the clinching point with a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 win at No. 5 singles for the victory.
"This is the second time this year that we have had a match that lasted as many hours," Georgia Southern Head Women's Tennis Coach Sean McCaffrey said. "The first time was Presbyterian, where we had two rain delays. Today was a little more difficult being a conference match, as both teams had a lot to play for. App brought a lot of energy and spirit that we had to counter throughout the day. I was particularly proud of Sonja and Pauli being able to win in straight sets, but then the leadership that Elizabeth and Mila showed, being able to get up in their third sets and stay up, is a testament to their desire to perform well for their teammates. I believe this puts is tied for fifth in the conference standings, which is impressive considering the challenging year we have faced. The women have persevered and I can't imagine anyone is looking forward to playing us in the conference tournament, considering we are feisty and determined to fight for every point. We will enjoy a day of recovery and rest and then we will be ready for whatever battle is in front of us in Peachtree City."
RESULTS
Singles
Helena Jansen (APP) def. Silvia Martinez Jimenez (GS) 6-4, 6-2
Paula Hijos (GS) def. Erika Dodridge (APP) 6-3, 6-3
Sonja Keranen (GS) def. Ellie Murphy (APP) 6-3, 6-2
Olwyn Ryan-Bovey (APP) def. Sophie Wagemaker (GS) 1-6, 6-4, 6-3
Mila Hartig (GS) def. Virginia Poggi (APP) 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
Elizabeth Goines (GS) def. Brooke Gruber (APP) 7-6, 3-6, 6-0
Singles finish: 3, 2, 1, 4, 6, 5
Doubles
Helena Jansen/Ellie Murphy (APP) def. Elizabeth Goines/Sonja Keranen (GS) 6-3
Olwyn Ryan-Bovey/Virginia Poggi (APP) def. Paula Hijos/Silvia Martinez Jimenez (GS) 6-4
Mila Hartig/Sophie Wagemaker (GS) led Brooke Gruber/Erika Dodridge (APP) 5-4, unfinished
Doubles finish: 1, 2
