Match 4
Score: UNC Asheville 5, Kennesaw State 2 | Box Score
Records: Kennesaw State (0-4), UNCA (5-5)
Up Next: Thursday, Feb. 23 vs. Jacksonville State, 11 a.m.

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women's tennis team was boosted by singles wins from Alexandra Mercado and Laura Hopton, but UNC Asheville escaped The Nest with a 5-2 victory over the Owls Monday afternoon at the Betty Siegel Courts.
 
The non-conference match was tight throughout, as three of the six singles matches went three sets.

"That one hurts, because we had some chances, but there's no need to hang our heads," said Assistant Head Coach Miranda Foley. "This team needs to see that if execute at certain times in the match, it could have gone the other way. There are some positives to take away from it, and we'll get back to practice to be ready for Thursday."

The Owls, playing their third match in three days, found themselves down 1-0 after close doubles matches, but pulled even when Hopton rolled to a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 4 singles – her second win in three days. Mercado also won for the second time over the last three matches, taking a three-set win at No. 2 (7-6, 0-6, 6-4).

The match was clinched by the Bulldogs (5-5) at No. 6 singles, when Emily Sidor held off Jessica Cantrell in three sets, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. At No. 3 singles, Kennedy Craig dropped her opening set 7-5, battled back to even the match by winning a second-set tiebreaker, and dropped a back-and-fourth final set 7-5.

The Owls have two days off before returning home to welcome Jacksonville State on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Singles
1. FRANCISCO, Hannah (AVL) def. Cristina Perez-Martin (KSU) 7-6, 6-1
2. Alexandra Mercado (KSU) def. WATSON STEELE, L. (AVL) 7-6, 0-6, 6-4
3. SHIPLEY, Kylee (AVL) def. Kennedy Craig (KSU) 7-5, 6-7, 7-5
4. Laura Hopton (KSU) def. LOUW, Christin (AVL) 6-4, 6-1
5. HALL, Hunter (AVL) def. Aspen Jarrett (KSU) 6-3, 6-1
6. SIDOR, Emily (AVL) def. Jessica Cantrell (KSU) 4-6, 7-5, 6-1

Doubles
1. Cristina Perez-Martin/Alexandra Mercado (KSU) vs. FRANCISCO, Hannah/SHIPLEY, Kylee (AVL) 5-4, unfinished
2. WATSON STEELE, L./HALL, Hunter (AVL) def. Laura Hopton/Jada Tijani (KSU) 6-4
3. LOUW, Christin/SIDOR, Emily (AVL) def. Kennedy Craig/Aspen Jarrett (KSU) 6-2

To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's tennis news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUWomensTennis or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.

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