Southern Illinois University
New Orleans Tournament
Women's Tennis finishes first at Big Easy Classic
09/23/2012 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
Sept. 23, 2012
By Tim McCaughan
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois women's tennis team opened its fall season with a tournament championship, edging out Troy to take first place at the Big Easy Classic in New Orleans on Sunday.
Senior Melanie Delsart advanced to the Flight 1 Championship, but was defeated by Parija Maloo of Norfolk State, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-4. Freshman Abigail Plecki had a strong tournament, going 3-1 in singles play and winning the Flight 3 consolation bracket after defeating Patricia Normand of Alcorn State 2-6, 6-0, 6-1.
"Abigail had a really good tournament and surprised us because she played better in her matches than she had been practicing," said head coach Audra Nothwehr.
Natasha Tomishima and Jennifer Dien advanced to the semifinals of the doubles tournament, but the duo of Delsart and Anastacia Simons won the doubles championship to clinch the Big Easy Classic for Southern.
The Salukis will be back in action Oct. 5, when they travel to Wichita, Kan., for the MVC Individual Championships.
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
Southern Illinois 44
Troy 43
Nicholls 24
New Orleans 24
McNeese 16
Alcorn 14
Xavier 12
Loyola 7
Players Mentioned
