March 2, 2007
Box Score
CANTON, Ga. - Jeni Thomas won at No. 5 singles, but it wasn't enough for Kennesaw State as the Owls fell to Belmont, 6-1, at the BridgeMill Tennis Center on Friday.
The point won by Thomas in singles was the second point for Kennesaw State (0-7, 0-3 A-Sun) this season as the Owls put together their strongest match of the year.
"Each match we are improving," said head coach T.J. Greggs. "And that's the most I can ask of our players."
Thomas played perhaps the most exciting match of the season in the A-Sun. After taking the first set, 7-5, from Katie Rhodes, Thomas dropped the second set, 6-3. The two then battled through a tie-breaker that saw Thomas claim a 14-12 win to win the Owls their lone point of the match.
"Jeni pulled out another tough three-set win today," commented Greggs. "So I was happy to get on the board in this match against a tough Belmont squad."
The Bruins (4-2, 1-0 A-Sun) took the doubles point even though Kennesaw State took the No. 1 doubles match as Mercedes Cobos and Giselle Nakakura downed Pozo and Bradley, 8-4.
Belmont won at No. 2 doubles when Elizabeth Conyer and Katie Rhodes defeated Karen Ammann and Caroline Page, 8-1. The Owls Lindsey Whalen and Jeni Thomas lost to Kelly Pence and Linda Johansson, 8-3.
"Giselle and Mercedes dominated their doubles match and also played well in singles," added Greggs. "So we have a lot of positive things that came out of this match."
Cobos played a competitive match at No.1 singles before falling to Johansson, 6-4, 6-2. Nakakura lost to Tatiana Pozo 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3 singles.
"Tomorrow is going to be another good match for us," said Greggs. "I am confident we can come away with our first win of the season."
The Owls will play Western Carolina in a non-conference match up at 11:00 a.m. at the BridgeMill Tennis Center.
Belmont 6, KSU 1
Doubles
No. 1 Cobos/Nakakura (KSU) d. Pozo/Bradley(Bel) 8-4
No. 2 Conyer/Rhodes (Bel) d. Ammann/Page 8-1
No. 3 Pence/Johansson (Bel) d. Whalen/Thomas (KSU) 8-3
Singles
No.1 Linda Johansson (Bel) d. Mercedes Cobos 6-4, 6-2
No.2 Elizabeth Conyer (Bel) d. Karen Ammann 6-3, 6-1
No.3 Tatiana Pozo (Bel) d. Giselle Nakakura 6-3, 6-2
No.4 April Bradley (Bel) d. Caroline Page 6-0, 6-0
No.5 Jeni Thomas (KSU) d. Katie Rhodes 7-5, 3-6, 14-12 (Tiebreak)
No.6 Kelly Pence (Bel) d. Lindsey Whalen (KSU) 6-0, 6-0
