JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Georgia Southern women's tennis blanked Elon, 4-0, on Saturday afternoon to remain unbeaten on the young season.
In the first meeting between the two former SoCon rivals since 2014, the Eagles (4-0) ended a six-game slide to the Phoenix (2-1). Georgia Southern's 4-0 start to the season is also the first 4-0 start since the 2017 campaign.
The Eagles claimed the doubles point as Silvia Martinez and Lindsay Tulenko defeated Lizette Reding and Sibel Tanik, 6-4, at No. 1 doubles, while Mackenzie Leopold and Sophie Wagemaker downed Ella Suk and Miray Konar, 6-2, at No. 2 singles.
Georgia Southern then took the first sets in all six singles matches. Ninon Martinache notched a 6-2, 6-1 win over Lizette Reding at No. 2 singles, then Paula Hijos delivered a 6-4, 6-0 win over Suk at No. 6 singles. Lindsay Tulenko then clinched the match with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Konar at No. 3 singles. Play was halted in the other three singles matches with the match clinched.
"I think we are all very happy with the weekend," Georgia Southern head women's tennis coach Sean McCaffrey said. "These early season matches allow us to see what we need to clean up and what we still need to work on. We have a lot to be happy with, but at the same time, there are a few things we need to address and put some extra effort into. Ninon and Lindsay were dominant today in singles and I feel that both are getting better each day. It will be nice as the team has earned a little rest and recovery, but we will get ready to open up our home schedule next week back in Statesboro starting Friday!"
RESULTS
Singles
1. Silvia Martinez (GS) led Sibel Tanik (ELON) 6-2, 3-6, 1-0, unfinished
2. Ninon Martinache (GS) def. Lizette Reding (ELON) 6-2, 6-1
3. Lindsay Tulenko (GS) def. Miray Konar (ELON) 6-2, 6-1
4. Nanaka Kijima (GS) led Helen Sarikulaya (ELON) 7-6 (3), 1-0, unfinished
5. Mariana Reding (ELON) led Mackenzie Leopold (GS) 6-0, 3-6, 2-3, unfinished
6. Paula Hijos (GS) def. Ella Suk (ELON) 6-4, 6-0
Doubles
1. Silvia Martinez/Lindsay Tulenko (GS) def. Lizette Reding/Sibel Tanik (ELON) 6-4
2. Sonja Keranen/Ninon Martinache (GS) and Madison Cordisco (ELON) 5-5, unfinished
3. Sophie Wagemaker/Mackenzie Leopold (GS) def. Ella Suk/Miray Konar (ELON) 6-2
