STATESBORO - Georgia Southern women's tennis opened up a five-match homestand at the Wallis Tennis Center with a 4-3 Sun Belt Conference victory over visiting Coastal Carolina on Monday morning.

The Eagles moved to 13-2 overall and 2-1 in the Sun Belt with the victory, while Coastal Carolina fell to 8-6 overall and 2-2 in the league. Georgia Southern will continue its homestand on Friday, hosting Southern Miss for a 10 am matchup in Wallis.

Georgia Southern claimed the doubles point as Ninon Martinache and Sonja Keranen won a 6-2 decision over Anna Babayan and Jesse Hollins at No. 1 doubles, while Silvia Martinez and Lindsay Tulenko collected a 6-0 win over Kata Foldeak and Cecile Morin at No. 2 doubles.

The Eagles won four of the six first sets, and quickly went ahead 2-0 thanks to Martinez' 6-3, 6-0 win over Nicole Abel at No. 1 singles. Coastal Carolina picked up straight-set singles wins at No. 3 and No. 4 singles to tie the match at 2-all, but Paula Hijos picked up a 7-6 (5), 6-1 win over Aida Maria Mitrache at No. 6 singles, then Ninon Martinache clinched the victory with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Babayan at No. 2 singles.

"It was tough not being able to practice over the last couple of days because of the rain," Georgia Southern head women's tennis coach Sean McCaffrey said. "So I was a little bit concerned. But from the beginning of the match today with doubles, we showed a great deal of focus, so that was solid. Getting four of the first six sets in singles, I noticed some tendencies from Coastal where they were maybe ending points a little early. Scoreboard pressure usually helps us out and it definitely did today, especially with Paula and Ninon. Silvia getting through her match quickly to put that second point up helped as well. It was a really good win. Every single team in the Sun Belt is really strong and on any given day, we're noticing from some of the results coming in that any team can beat any other."

RESULTS
Singles
1. Silvia Martinez (GS) def. Nicole Abel (CCU) 6-3, 6-0
2. Ninon Martinache (GS) def. Anna Babayan (CCU) 6-2, 6-4
3. Jesse Hollins (CCU) def. Lindsay Tulenko (GS) 6-2, 6-3
4. Kata Foldeak (CCU) def. Nanaka Kijima (GS) 6-2, 6-3
5. Cecile Morin (CCU) def. Mackenzie Leopold (GS) 3-6, 6-2, (10-6)
6. Paula Hijos (GS) def. Aida Maria Mitrache (CCU) 7-6 (5), 6-1

Doubles
1. Ninon Martinache/Sonja Keranen (GS) def. Anna Babayan/Jesse Hollins (CCU) 6-2
2. Silvia Martinez/Lindsay Tulenko (GS) def. Kata Foldeak/Cecile Morin (CCU) 6-0
3. Nicole Abel/Brooke Rogers (CCU) led Mackenzie Leopold/Sophie Wagemaker (GS) 5-3, unfinished