By: Joseph Hovey
KENNESAW, Ga. — Kennesaw State women's tennis showcased the talent of both its seasoned veterans and recent additions as it opened the fall season by hosting Georgia Mid-Major Mayhem Sept. 18-20 at Betty Siegel Courts.
Each of the multi-team event's three days pitted the Owls against an in-state foe in a dual-format match. As a team, KSU went 3-0, defeating Mercer (7-2), Georgia Southern (6-2), and Georgia State (6-1).
"This was a very productive weekend for our team with some very impressive individual performances," said KSU director of tennis
Matt Emery. "To open the fall season with three straight matches against three very good in-state teams was awesome."
The Owls finished the weekend 7-3 in doubles play with undefeated performances on both courts one and three.
Ema Baraniakova and
Adela Zingorova went 3-0 (6-2, 6-2, 6-0) on court one; meanwhile,
Maria Ivankovic and
Laura Nadaska matched that winning output at 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.
A freshman from Rybi, Czechia, the weekend's matches were Zingorova's first in an Owl uniform.
The KSU women combined for a 16-5 record in singles play with undefeated efforts from Ema and
Terezia Baraniakova, Nadaska,
Irene Serrano Maestre and
Jenelle Roberts.
Ema Baraniakova defeated opponents from Georgia Southern and Georgia State 6-1, 6-1 and 6-2, 6-4, respectively. The senior's line-one dominance also included a 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (2-0) win versus Mercer.
Terezia Baraniakova tallied three straight-set wins, with a string of 6-2 wins versus both Mercer and Georgia Southern, along with a 6-0, 6-1 victory against Georgia State.
Nadaska needed only two sets to take each of her matches. The senior from Jaslovske Bohunice, Slovakia topped opponents from Mercer 6-3, 7-5; Georgia Southern 6-1, 6-0 and Georgia State 6-2, 6-0.
Serrano Maestre started her sophomore campaign strong with a pair of hard-fought wins against Mercer and Georgia State. After taking set one 7-6 (7-0) versus Mercer, Serrano Maestre fell 3-6 in set two. In a 10-point tiebreak for the match, Serrano Maestre rallied from an early 5-9 deficit to take the third set 11-9. Serrano Maestre finished the weekend with wins of 6-1, 6-2 and 7-6 (7-3), 6-1.
Roberts, an offseason addition via Western Carolina, earned her first wins as an Owl with results of 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 against Mercer, and 7-5, 6-3 over Georgia Southern.
Freshman
Lucie Nouzova's first win at KSU came Sunday in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat of her Georgia State foe.
"This was a very good start to the fall season," Emery said. "We're excited to compete again in a couple of weeks."
The Owls will return to action at the Mercer Gridiron Classic in Macon, Georgia, Oct. 2-4.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
