Feb. 7, 2009
Final Stats
CLINTON, S.C. - The Kennesaw State Women's Tennis team dropped its second-straight match Friday, falling 5-2 to Presbyterian in the team's first road contest of the spring dual match season.
"Today is a frustrating day to be a coach," said Kennesaw State Head Coach Brandon Padgett on his team's showing. "This team looked as young as they are, and it was tough to watch."
The Owls (1-2, 0-0) fell behind early in the match after losing the doubles point and couldn't claw their way back for their second victory of the season and second straight win over the Blue Hose.
Freshman Morgan Carney turned in KSU's most impressive performance of the day, running her young dual match record to 2-1 with a straight-set 6-0, 6-0 blanking of her opponent at No. 4 singles. Ayano Tanaka earned the Owls other point, beating her singles opponent from Presbyterian for the second year in a row after topping her opponent 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3.
The Black and Gold's remaining win of the day came at No. 3 doubles where freshman MacKenzie Swindall partnered with sophomore Agatha Palider for an 8-6 win. Alena Sergeychik was the Owls only other player to push her opponent to three sets, getting denied her first collegiate dual-match win after falling 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 at No. 5.
Vera Shkundina couldn't keep the momentum going after winning Player of the Week honors following the Owls opening home stand. The 16-year-old Russian never looked settled, falling 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 in her first dual match singles loss of the season.
Mercedes Cobos and Courtney Cox also fell in straight sets on Friday. Cobos lost 7-5, 6-4 at No. 2 while Cox was denied her second dual match win after losing 6-4, 7-5 at No. 6.
"We have to have some leadership show up soon," added Padgett. "I am confident that they will continue to grow as players and we will get better."
It was the first win of the season for Presbyterian, moving their record to 1-3. The victory increased the Blue Hose's lead in the all-time series to 5-1.
The Owls will get a chance to rebound quickly as they are scheduled to face UNC Asheville at 12 p.m. on Saturday in Asheville, N.C.
Doubles Results
#1: Oelke/Waldron def. Ayano Tanaka/Mercedes Cobos 8-6
#2: Davis/Diminich def. Vera Shkundina/Alena Sergeychik 8-5
#3 Mackenzie Swindall/Agatha Palider def. Isbell/Caruso 8-6
Singles Results
#1Diminich def. Vera Shkundina 6-1, 6-1
#2 Isbell def. Mercedes Cobos 7-5, 6-4
#3 Ayano Tanaka def. Davis 6-3, 6-2
#4 Morgan Carney def. Caruso 6-0, 6-0
#5 Oelke def. Alena Sergeychik 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
#6 Waldron def. Courtney Cox 6-4, 7-5
