KSU vs. Jac. St. Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women’s tennis team showed any remaining doubters that they are the real deal on Tuesday afternoon as they remained undefeated moving to 7-0 on the season with a solid, 6-1, win over a good Jacksonville State team.

The other big story in the match was freshman Alexandra Apostu kept her undefeated streak going as well. She is now 12-0 for the year in singles and doubles matches combined.

This was supposed to be the toughest test the Owls have faced this season, but once again the Black and Gold gained the early momentum in the match by taking the doubles point.

The No. 3 doubles team of junior Morgan Carney and Apostu won their match by a score of 8-3, but the No. 2 doubles team of senior Agatha Palider and Therese Lagerkvist fell, 8-5, leaving the doubles matches tied at 1-1.

However, the No. 1 doubles team of junior Vera Shkundina and sophomore Iesha Holton clinched the doubles point with a thrilling, 9-8, comeback win. Shkundina and Holton were trailing all match, but rallied late to give the Owls a key point in the match. The doubles team that they defeated of Marani Vivane and Martina Dessbesell have won over 20 doubles matches in their career and went 8-1 in conference play last season.

Head Coach Jeffery Kutac was happy with the win. "I was pleased with the way Vera and Iesha competed in this match against a very good doubles team. Iesha really came up big for us late in this match to seal the win."   

In singles play, Kennesaw State flexed their muscles winning four of the six matches in straight sets.

Apostu’s streak was in serious jeopardy after she dropped the first set at the No. 3 spot to Jacksonville State’s Raisa Guasti, 4-6. However, the freshman battled back to take the second set 6-3, and then won a super tiebreaker 10-6.

Not to be outdone was Shkundina who has put together a six-match singles winning streak of her own, including her win at the No. 1 spot over Marani Vivane 6-2, 6-1.

Kennesaw State’s next match will be its long awaited 2011 home opener on Friday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. against Coastal Carolina. The match will be played at Laurel Park Tennis Center.