Box Score
LAKE
CHARLES, La. ?
The ULM tennis team couldn't overcome struggles in doubles play in a 4-3 loss
against McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., on Saturday evening.
After splitting the opening two doubles matches,
the Warhawks fell in the tiebreaking set in the deciding bout to fall behind
1-0 early. McNeese State (4-7) would force a split of the six singles matches to
claim the team victory.
“I'm very disappointed in our result today,”
ULM head coach Terrence De Jongh said. “Our doubles play has really hurt us and
today we had our chances, but couldn't put them away. We have juggled up our
doubles line-up, but just can't seem to find the combination that works.”
Senior Marion Lehmann and sophomore Claire
Clark opened doubles for the Warhawks by picking up an 8-2 win at number three
singles. The Cowgirls would even the tandem play with an 8-3 win at the top
position.
ULM (6-6) would fall behind in the team race
after dropping a 9-8 (9-7) decision at number two doubles.
Clark quickly evened the match for the
Warhawks at 1-1 with a dominating performance over Petra Gudelj at number three
singles. The Bossier City, La., native dropped only one game in a 6-0, 6-1
match and improved to 12-0 on the spring.
McNeese State rattled off back-to-back wins
at number one and number two singles to jump out in front 3-1.
Lehmann, the Sun Belt Conference's reigning
player of the week, tallied the next team point for the Warhawks with a 6-4,
6-4 win at number six singles. Senior Sharon Makhanya evened the match at 3-3
with a come-from-behind win at number five singles, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.
Junior Lena Satge won the first set at number
four singles, but Tea Tvrtkovic won the last two to claim the third set win and
give the Cowgirls the team victory.
“When you lose the doubles point, you put
yourself in a tough situation in singles,” De Jongh said. “The pressure is on
to win every game and we just didn't get it done. Today we were able to get
wins in three, but couldn't hold on in the fourth.”
ULM will look to snap a modest two-match skid
on Sunday when it travels to Lafayette, La., for a bout against in-state rival
Louisiana-Lafayette at 10:30 a.m.
Singles
1. Ralitsa Pirdopska (MCN) def. Ana Burjaili
(ULM) 6-0, 6-4
2. Victoria Martinez (MCN) def. Vivian Polak
(ULM) 6-4, 6-1
3. Claire Clark (ULM) def. Petra Gudelj (MCN)
6-0, 6-1
4. Tea Tvrtkovic (MCN) def. Lena Satge (ULM)
3-6, 6-1, 6-2
5. Sharon Makhanya (ULM) def. Maria Frausto
(MCN) 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
6. Marion Lehmann (ULM) def. Inga Efimenko
(MCN) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1. Pirdopska/Martinez (MCN) def.
Burjaili/Satge (ULM) 8-3
2. Gudelj/Frausto (MCN) def. Polak/Makhanya
(ULM) 9-8 (9-7)
3. Clark/Lehmann (ULM) def.
Tvrtkovic/Efimenko (MCN) 8-2
