Box Score

Kennesaw, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women's tennis team made its 2018 home debut on Sunday and fell 6-1 to Southern Miss Sunday (Feb.18) at the Betty Siegel Courts.

Jessica Cantrell shined for the Owls (1-5) as she Jada Tijani won their doubles match, defeating Tanit Lopez Lopez and Lara Isis De Oliveir, 7-6.  The junior picked up the Owls' lone singles, posting a 6-2, 6-4 straight-set win over Tanit Lopez Lopez at No.4 singles.

"Overall, I think we continue to get better and better as we continue to practice and the team has been doing a very good job at practice, and I think it is showing," Eduardo Rincon, director of tennis, said. "Today, we lost against a very good Southern Miss team. We were a little unlucky in doubles and I think if we would have gotten that point, the whole dynamics of the match would have changed.
"I give kudos to Jessica for being involved in the two matches we won," Rincon added. "Now we have a quick turnaround and we'll have a light hit tomorrow (Monday) and then go to Jacksonville State on Tuesday, and hopefully we will keep improving."

Kennsaw State will return to action on Tuesday (Feb.20) at Jacksonville State. First serve is set for 12 p.m. ET.


RESULTS 
Southern Miss 6, Kennesaw State 1

Singles 
1. Arina Amaning (USM) def. Alexandra Mercado (KSU) 1-6, 6-2, 10-4
2. Rikeetha Pereira (USM) def. Kennedy Craig (KSU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Tjasa Jerse (USM) def. Laura Hopton (KSU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Jessica Cantrell (KSU) def. Tanit Lopez Lopez (USM) 6-2, 6-4
5. Elena Roca (USM) def. Aspen Jarrett (KSU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Claudia Castella (USM) def. Jada Tijani (KSU) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles
1. Arina Amaning/Tjasa Jerse (USM) def. Laura Hopton/Alexandra Mercado (KSU) 6-3
2. Jada Tijani/Jessica Cantrell (KSU) def. Tanit Lopez Lopez/Lara Isis De Oliveir (USM) 7-6
3. Claudia Castella/Rikeetha Pereira (USM) def. Kennedy Craig/Aspen Jarrett (KSU) 7-5
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's tennis news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsWTenn or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
 
#GoKSUOwls