Match 9
Score: Southern Miss 6, Kennesaw State 1 | Box Score
Records: Kennesaw State (2-7), Southern Miss (6-5)
Up Next: Saturday, March 11 vs. Alabama A&M, 3 p.m.
 
KENNESAW, Ga. -- The Kennesaw State women's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision to visiting Southern Mississippi on a windy and chilly Friday afternoon at the Betty Siegel Courts.
 
The Owls (2-7) had chances to clinch the doubles point, but the Golden Eagles (6-5) won the No. 2 doubles match in a tiebreaker and carried that momentum into singles.

"Considering the conditions today, I'm proud of the way the girls competed," said Assistant Head Coach Miranda Foley. "We could have got very frustrated mentally, but we didn't. We gave ourselves chances across the board and I'm seeing improvement. I'm happy for Kennedy to get a few wins today."

Kennedy Craig, who was an unbeaten 2-0 for the day, teamed with Jessica Cantrell for a 6-3 win at No. 3 doubles, but USM answered with a 6-2 victory at No. 1. It came down to Laura Hopton and Elle Baker, who led 5-3 before USM forced the breaker. KSU led again in the tiebreak, but the Golden Eagles had the final answer.
 
In singles, the first three matches at No. 6, No. 1, and No. 5 went Southern Miss' way en route to the victory. Craig grabbed the Owls' point in singles, as the junior came from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 11-9.
 
The Owls are back in action Saturday, hosting a men's and women's doubleheader with Alabama A&M at the Betty Siegel Courts. First serve for the men is set for 11 a.m., with the women's match to follow.
 
Singles
1. Carolin Drescher (USM) def. Alexandra Mercado (KSU) 6-0, 6-4
2. Alex Kitchen (USM) def. Cristina Perez-Martin (KSU) 6-2, 0-6, 6-3
3. Rikeetha Pereira (USM) def. Laura Hopton (KSU) 6-4, 7-6
4. Kennedy Craig (KSU) def. Tzu-Hui Chen (USM) 4-6, 6-3, 11-9
5. Tjasa Jerse (USM) def. Jessica Cantrell (KSU) 6-4, 6-1
6. Elena Roca (USM) def. Aspen Jarrett (KSU) 6-0, 6-2
 
Doubles
1. Carolin Drescher/Alex Kitchen (USM) def. Alexandra Mercado/Cristina Perez-Martin (KSU) 6-2
2. Rikeetha Pereira/Elena Roca (USM) def. Laura Hopton/Elle Baker (KSU) 7-6
3. Kennedy Craig/Jessica Cantrell (KSU) def. Tzu-Hui Chen/Tjasa Jerse (USM) 6-3
 
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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