Box Score CHARLESTON, S.C. - Georgia Southern women's tennis notched its fifth straight win with a 4-1 decision over the College of Charleston on Friday afternoon at the CofC Tennis Center in Charleston, S.C.
The Eagles improved to 5-1 on the season and won its third straight match against the Cougars, who fell to 3-2 with the loss. Georgia Southern returns to action on Saturday, hosting Queens (NC) at 2 p.m. back in Statesboro at the Wallis Tennis Center.
Georgia Southern claimed the doubles point from the Cougars by winning at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Silvia Martinez and Sonja Keranen defeated Slade Coetzee and Klara Vukicevic, 6-1, at No. 2 doubles, while Ninon Martinache and Lindsay Tulenko collected a 6-2 win over Maja Jekauc and Nicole Stephens at No. 3 doubles.
In singles, the Eagles got three straight set singles wins to clinch the victory. Paula Hijos defeated Peyton Brotzmann, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 6 singles, while Nanaka Kijima downed Faessler, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 4 singles. Silvia Martinez then clinched the victory with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Coetzee at No. 1 singles.
"This was one of the better regular season non-conference wins we've had since I've been here," Georgia Southern Head Women's Tennis Coach Sean McCaffrey said. "Each year we've played the College of Charleston except in 2018, we've had pretty tight matches. The last four matches all came down to just a few points here and there. Despite the score, this was really no different. But I think the way in which our ladies fought so hard in doubles, and then coming out as offensive minded as we did in our first sets in singles - that really surprised our opponents.
"Our doubles was on point and their energy was fantastic. In singles, I'm particularly proud of Lindsay and Ninon for putting up such strong fights when they were down in a couple of their sets. They did everything they could to not allow their matches to go to a third set. They both knew that Silvia was in a big battle, and they fought so hard to give her more time and momentum to finish out her match. That was extremely selfless and showed a ton of heart from both of the ladies. Nanaka and Paula were both on fire and helped with a little scoreboard pressure by earning straight-set wins. This team is improving a bunch and I believe we have so much more that we can do. It's a great day to be an Eagle!"
"In singles, both Sophie and Nanaka did a nice job of taking their matches in straight sets. Ninon did a phenomenal job of wearing out her opponent in three sets, which is a testament to the work that [Georgia Southern strength and conditioning] Coach McKenna does with the team. Paula was clutch and you could see her hitting all out in her third set. I felt her shots were crisper and hit with so much focus. It was great to see the girls going for their shots in some of the more high pressure moments. This will certainly help us down the road."
Singles
Silvia Martinez (GS) def. Slade Coetzee (COFC) 6-4, 7-5
Lindsay Tulenko (GS) led Halli Trinkle (COFC) 7-5, 4-3, unfinished
Ninon Martinache (GS) led Maja Jekauc (COFC) 7-6, 6-5, unfinished
Nanaka Kijima (GS) def. Ella Faessler (COFC) 6-2, 6-3
Nicole Stephens (COFC) def. Sophie Wagemaker (GS) 6-2, 6-2
Paula Hijos (GS) def. Peyton Brotzmann (GS) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles
Liv Ryan/Sophie Wagemaker (GS) led Ella Faessler/Halli Trinkle (COFC) 5-4, unfinished
Silvia Martinez/Sonja Keranen (GS) def. Slade Coetzee/Klara Vukicevic (COFC) 6-1
Ninon Martinache/Lindsay Tulenko (GS) def. Maja Jekauc/Nicole Stephens (COFC) 6-2
