KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women's tennis team locked in its first win after a thrilling match in the season-opener with a 4-3 victory over Mercer, Monday afternoon. With the win, KSU (1-0) secured its second consecutive season opener and leads the all-time series 8-5 over the Bears.

How it Happened 

Izabelle Perrson and Sophia Unger dominated their doubles match with a 6-3 win but tough losses from Ji Youn Lee /Taylor Dean (7-5) and Amulika Gottiparthy/Sofia Pinedo (6-2) gave Mercer the opening point. 

KSU quickly bounced back and secured four singles victories to secure the comeback win.  Amulika Gottiparthy and Taylor Dean brought the Owls back from behind to tie the match, 3-3. Gottiparthy controlled court 6 winning 6-2, 6-3, while Dean handled business on court 2 and defeated Courville 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.

KSU took the lead after a victory from Sophia Unger 6-3, 6-3. After the Bears tied the match, it came down to Sofia Pinedo, who was able to clinch the final point for KSU 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. 

Next Up

The Owls travel Friday to face the Alabama State Hornets in Montgomery, Ala. Jan. 20th at 2:00 p.m.

Kennesaw State 4, Mercer 3

Singles competition

1. Teodora Risitc (MU) def. Ji Youn Lee (KSUW) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2

2. Taylor Dean (KSUW) def. Mary Weston Courville (MU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-3

3. Sophia Unger (KSUW) def. Eden Schlagenhauf (MU) 6-3, 6-3

4. Sofia Pinedo (KSUW) def. Camilla Ciaccia (MU) 6-3, 2-6, 7-5

5. Marina De Diego Quinones (MU) def. Izabelle Perrson (KSUW) 6-4, 6-1

6. Amulika Gottiparthy (KSUW) def. Lekha Varudandi (MU) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Izabelle Perrson/ Sophia Unger (KSUW) def. Camilla Ciaccia/ Eden Schlagenhauf (MU) 6-3

2. Mary Weston/Teodora Risitc (MU) def. Ji Youn Lee/ Taylor Dean (KSUW) 7-5

3. Kristin Yordanova/ Marina De Diego Quinones (MU) def. Amulika Gottiparthy/ Sofia Pinedo (KSUW) 6-2

Match Notes: Kennesaw State 1-0, Mercer 0-1

Order of Finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (5,6,3,2,1,4)