KENNESAW, Ga. - Despite a strong performance by Vera Shkundina, the Lady Owl women's tennis team dropped a 5-2 decision today to Troy University at the KSU Tennis Center.  The Trojans (5-6) rode the momentum of four straight-set wins in singles, coupled with the victory in two of three doubles matches.

In doubles, the Owls (7-8) got behind quickly at No. 2, and never recovered, dropping the match 8-1.  At No. 1, the Owls emerged victorious as Shkundina and Ayano Tanaka overwhelmed the Trojan tandem of Lauren Simpson and Emma Smith, 8-3.  At that juncture, the No. 3 match was in favor of the Owls 6-3, but Troy stormed back to take the next 5 games and the doubles point, 8-6.

In singles, the Owls once again fell behind quickly, and the Trojans rolled to victories at positions 2 through 5.  The Owls did have two highlights in singles, however, as Therese Lagerkvist closed out Smith 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 at the No. 6 spot, and Shkundina battled through a third set tiebreaker to down Karoline Grymel, 6-2, 5-7, 1-0(8).  Lagerkvist now holds the team's best record at 11-4, followed closely by Shkundina, who is 10-5 at the top spot.

The Owls will return to the court on Friday at the KSU Tennis Center, when they face off with Atlantic Sun foe and nationally-ranked No. 70 North Florida.  The match is set for 10:00 a.m. and parking is available in the East Parking Deck.

Results:

Troy 5, KSU 2

Doubles:
1) Vera Shkundina/Ayano Tanaka (KSU) def. Simpson/Smith (Troy) 8-3
2) Grymel/Guijt (Troy) def. Mackenzie Swindall/Morgan Carney (KSU) 8-1
3) Vieira/Ramirez-Vega (Troy) def. Iesha Holton/Agatha Palider (KSU) 8-6

Singles:
1) Vera Shkundina (KSU) def. Grymel (Troy) 6-2, 5-7, 1-0(8)
2) Simpson (Troy) def. Morgan Carney (KSU) 6-0, 6-0
3) Vieira (Troy) def. Ayano Tanaka (KSU) 6-3, 6-4
4) Guijt (Troy) def. Iesha Holton (KSU) 6-4, 7-5
5) Ramirez-Vega (Troy) def. Agatha Palider (KSU) 6-4, 6-1
6) Therese Lagerkvist (KSU) def. Smith (Troy) 6-2, 3-6, 6-1