Southern Illinois University
Evansville
Salukis earn first conference win, topping Evansville 4-3
03/25/2015 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
By Elizabeth Robinson
SIUSalukis.com
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The Saluki women's tennis team opened conference play on Wednesday with a close 4-3 win over Evansville. SIU's win marks the team's ninth straight victory, and the first victory on the road since the first match of the season against Morehead State.
"It was nice to get our first conference win," head coach Audra Anderson said. "We played much better in doubles today than in our last two matches, but we need to clean up a few things in singles before this upcoming weekend."
SIU started the match with the advantage, earning the doubles point with victories at all three doubles positions.
Singles play was more of a challenge for the Salukis as Natasha Tomishima, Meagan Monaghan and Yana Golovkina fell at the top three singles positions. Two of the top three matches - Monaghan at No. 2 and Golovkina at No. 3 - were decided in three sets, both resulting in Saluki losses.
The bottom of SIU's lineup, however, pulled through to pick up wins at the No. 4, 5 and 6 spots to earn three points for the Salukis to secure the win. Each of the bottom three matches were decided in two sets, with earned by Athena Chrysanthou, Vitoria Beirao and Ariadna Cairo Baza.
With Wednesday's victory, SIU is 1-0 in conference play. The team is set to take on Saint Louis University at home on Saturday, followed by Arkansas State on the road on Sunday. Following this weekend's matches, SIU will only face conference competitors for the remainder of the season.
Complete Results
Doubles
W: Tomishima/Monaghan (SIU) def. Trousilova/Moreno (EU) 8-1
W: Beirao/Dozortseva (SIU) def. James/Craig (EU) 8-4
W: Golovkina/A. Cairo Baza (SIU) def. Fifer/Brguljan (EU) 8-4
Singles
L: Marketa Trousilova (EU) def. Natasha Tomishima (SIU) 6-1, 6-3
L: Natasha James (EU) def. Meagan Monaghan (SIU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
L: Kennedy Craig (EU) def. Yana Golovkina (SIU) 5-7, 6-4, 6-0
W: Athena Chrysanthou (SIU) def. Marina Moreno (EU) 6-2, 6-2
W: Vitoria Beirao (SIU) def. Andjela Brguljan (EU) 6-2, 6-4
W: Ariadna Cairo Baza (SIU) def Mina Milovic (EU) 6-2, 6-3
Players Mentioned
