Southern Illinois University
Belmont
Women's Tennis drops match against Belmont, 4-2
02/17/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
Feb. 17, 2008
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
PADUCAH, Ky. - The Southern Illinois University women's tennis team fell to Belmont today in Paducah, Ky. The No. 2 singles match was not finished, resulting in a 4-2 win for Belmont.
The Salukis swept in doubles, starting off the match with a 1-0 lead. At No. 1 doubles, Jessica Flannery and Sabine Tsala Mvilongo defeated Linda Johansson and Tatiana Pozo, 8-6. Martina Vianna Ce teamed up with Michela Cruise at No. 2 doubles with a 9-7 victory over Whitnie Warren and Katie Rhodes. Cruise and Ce were down 2-7 in the match, but came back big to capture the win. Rounding out doubles at No. 3, seniors Ame Blacketer and Amanda Taillefer defeated Kelly Pence and Abby Leatherwood, 8-4.
In singles action, the top four seeds fought tough battles, taking each match into three sets. Tsala fell to Johansson, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 at No. 1. Ce and Pozo competed at No. 2 singles, but were unable to finish the match. The score was 6-3, 6-7 (3), 2-3 when the match was called. Cruise fought a touch match against Warren at No. 3, but fell 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Facing off in No. 4 singles, Flannery defeated Rhodes 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Taillefer was unable to hold off Lindsay Bennett at No. 5, falling 6-4, 6-4. Andrea Courtney dropped the No. 6 singles match to Leatherwood, 6-2, 6-3.
"It was a very disappointing loss because it was so close and such an intense match," said head coach Audra Nothwehr. "I'm very proud of our doubles teams, especially Martina and Michela's comeback.
"We had some great matches and everyone fought hard, we just weren't on the winning side this time."
The Salukis will be back in action on Feb. 23 when they face SIU - Edwardsville, in their first home match of the season. The match is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and will take place at the University Courts.
Belmont 4, Southern Illinois 2
Doubles
No. 1 - Flannery/Tsala Mvilongo def. Johansson/Pozo 8-6
No. 2 - Ce/Cruise def. Warren/Rhodes 9-7
No. 3 - Taillefer/Blacketer def. Leatherwood/Pence8-4
Singles
No. 1 - Linda Johansson def. Sabine Tsala Mvilongo 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
No. 2 - Martina Vianna Ce vs. Tatiana Pozo 6-3, 6-7 (3), 2-3 DNF
No. 3 - Whitnie Warren def. Michela Cruise 7-5, 3-6, 6-3
No. 4 - Jessica Flannery def. Katie Rhodes 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
No. 5 - Lindsay Bennett def. Amanda Taillefer 6-4, 6-4
No. 6 - Abby Leatherwood def. Andrea Courtney 6-2, 6-3
Southern Illinois 3-2
Belmont 3-3
