Box Score STATESBORO - Georgia Southern women's tennis capped a perfect week of action by blanking Queens (NC), 7-0, on Sunday morning at the Wallis Tennis Center.
The Eagles (7-1) ran their win streak to seven by knocking off the Royals (2-7) for a second straight match. Georgia Southern returns to action on Wednesday, hosting the University of North Florida at 1 p.m. at Wallis.
Georgia Southern collected the doubles point as Liv Ryan and Sophie Wagemaker picked up a 6-1 win over Amelie Allard and Hanna Axelsson at No. 2 doubles, then Nanaka Kijima and Ana Tsitavets won a 6-1 decision over Kelsey Sinclaire and Nyanquie Tomegah at No. 3 doubles.
The Eagles then completed the sweep by prevailing in all six singles matches. Tsitavets won a first-set tiebreak to defeat Katsiaryn Tuliakova, 7-6 (4), 6-0, at No. 1 singles, while Silvia Martinez overcame a first-set deficit to down Axelsson, 3-6, 6-0, (10-6) at No. 2 singles. Linsday Tulenko, Paula Hijos, Kijima and Sonja Keranen all notched straight-set victories as well for Georgia Southern.
"We had a very good last three days," Georgia Southern Head Women's Tennis Coach Sean McCaffrey said. "We managed to fine tune a number of things against a very feisty Queens team. It was nice to see Sophie and Liv bounce back in doubles, I think they played extremely well. I was pleased to see Nanaka and Ana take advantage of the opportunity given them at No. 3 doubles and really control the match throughout.
"In singles, Paula, Nanaka and Sonja did such a good job of staying on top of their opponents and not giving them too much breathing room. Silvia had a really good comeback today and worked her way through a very difficult opponent in a challenging matchup. Lindsay showed a great deal of grit after trailing 5-1 in her second set, clawing all the way back to earn the straight-set win. And I think Ana proved why she is the real deal today. She played an opponent that had one of the biggest games we will see all year and she did a fantastic job of showing a relentless attitude. She was down a break nearly the entire first set and had to break to force the tiebreak at 6-6. After that break, she never looked back, including a 6-0 second set.
"I believe the team is learning that once their opponents recognize that the Eagles won't give up on a point, many players' level of fight goes away. We are very eager to play UNF on Wednesday. They are a very well-coached team and I believe that it will be a great battle."
Singles
Ana Tsitavets (GS) def. Katsiaryn Tuliakova (QU) 7-6 (4), 6-0
Silvia Martinez (GS) def. Hanna Axelsson (QU) 3-6, 6-0, (10-6)
Lindsay Tulenko (GS) def. Marie Balanda (QU) 6-4, 7-5
Paula Hijos (GS) def. Amelie Allard (QU) 6-3, 6-1
Nanaka Kijima (GS) def. Nyanquie Tomegah (QU) 6-0, 6-1
Sonja Keranen (GS) def. Kelsey Sinclaire (QU) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
Marie Balanda/Katsiaryn Tuliakova (QU) def. Sonja Keranen/Silvia Martinez (GS) 6-3
Liv Ryan/Sophie Wagemaker (GS) def. Amelie Allard/Hanna Axelsson (QU) 6-1
Nanaka Kijima/Ana Tsitavets (GS) def. Kelsey Sinclaire/Nyanquie Tomegah (QU) 6-1