Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. – The women’s tennis team remained red hot on Tuesday afternoon, downing the Presbyterian Blue Hose for their fifth win in the last six matches. The victory avenges a 5-2 defeat at Presbyterian a year ago.

The Owls seemed off to a great start when Vera Shkundina and Alena Sergeychik raced to a quick victory in the No. 1 doubles slot and the No. 3 team of Mackenzie Swindall and Agatha Palider raced to a 7-2 lead. However, the fortunes of the Owls in doubles turned, as the No. 2 team of Iesha Holton and Morgan Carney were defeated, leaving the doubles point up to Palider and Swindall. The Blue Hose team of Paige Oelke and Lindsay Krause clawed back into the match and overtook the Owls by a 9-7 margin.

The singles were a different story, as the Owls came out motivated to win. Vera Shkundina started off the singles with a quick 6-2, 6-0 victory over Olivia McMillan at the top spot. Following in her footsteps were four other teammates, as the Owls (6-4) pulled away from the Blue Hose (1-4) as the afternoon wore on. Mackenzie Swindall added to the Owl tally with a straight set win over Cara Carney at the No. 3 spot, and Agatha Palider was victorious at No. 4 to put the Owls one point from the victory. Morgan Carney stretched her opponent to three sets at No. 2 before falling, but Therese Lagerkvist and Alena Sergeychik pulled out victories at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots to lead the Owls to the final tally.

“I am very proud of how the team as a whole, regrouped and put on an impressive display in singles play,” commented head coach Brandon Padgett. “That is an excellent response to such a poor start to the match."

The Owls return to the court on Friday when they take on Atlantic Sun rival Campbell on the road. Match time is 1:00 p.m.

Kennesaw State 5, Presbyterian 2

Doubles:

1) Vera Shkundina/Alena Sergeychik (KSU) def. Cara Caruso/Megan Davis (PC) 8-1
2) Olivia McMillan/Virginia Waldron (PC) def. Iesha Holton/Morgan Carney (KSU) 8-5
3) Paige Oelke/Lindsay Krause (PC) def. Mackenzie Swindall/Agatha Palider (KSU) 9-7
Order Of Finish: 1,2,3

Singles:
1) Vera Shkundina (KSU) def. Olivia McMillan (PC) 6-0, 6-2
2) Paige Oelke (PC) def. Morgan Carney (KSU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
3) Mackenzie Swindall (KSU) def. Cara Caruso (PC) 6-2, 6-4
4) Agatha Palider (KSU) def. Megan Davis (PC) 6-1, 6-4
5) Therese Lagerkvist (KSU) def. Daryl Thompson (PC) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0
6) Alena Sergeychik (KSU) def. Virginia Waldron (PC) 6-3, 6-4
Order Of Finish: 1,3,4,2,5,6