Stephen F. Austin
Louisville
SFA Tennis Downs Louisville
1/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Jan. 21, 2012
The Stephen F. Austin women's tennis team traveled to Fayetteville, Ark., to take on Louisville and came away with a 5-2 victory Saturday afternoon. The victory moves the 'Jacks (2-1) back over .500 for the season.
"We showed a lot of focus today," said head coach Patrick Sullivan. "We got off to a quick start in both doubles and singles and I think that was difference in the match. We practiced yesterday in weather that was in the mid 80s in Nacogdoches, and woke up to weather in the teens, which forced the match indoors. It was our first indoor match this season, and to put all of that together and perform the way we did is something that we feel good about."
The Ladyjacks were dominant in all three doubles matches. SFA swept all three to take the early 1-0 lead. Riding the momentum of the victory over the No. 27 doubles team in the country against Illinois, the SFA duo of senior Alina Shazhko and freshman Jithmie Jayawickrema clinched the doubles point with their win at the two spot.
Freshman Tereza Bekerova gave the 'Jacks a 2-0 lead with her 6-3, 6-1 upset of No. 103 Rebecca Shine at No. 1 singles. The Cardinals responded with a victory at No. 6 singles to cut into the lead, but SFA rattled off wins at Nos. 2 and 3 singles to clinch the win.
Jayawickrema gave SFA its third point with her victory at two singles, while classmate Elena Kordolaimi clinched the 'Jacks victory with her 6-4, 6-3, win over Louisville's Gabrielle Duncan at the third spot. Freshman Antonia Kolovou closed out the SFA scoring with her straight-set victory at No. 5 singles.
"Arkansas is where my coaching career really got started and it's a place with a lot of special memories for me, so to be able to come here and have our team play well in front of family and friends was definitely special for me personally," added Sullivan.
The 'Jacks will face their toughest opponent of the young season Wednesday when they travel to Waco, Texas to face No. 6 Baylor. The match against the Lady Bears is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m.
-SFA-
