Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Saint Louis
Southern Illinois loses close match to Saint Louis University
04/01/2016 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
By Drew Hoffman
SIUSalukis.com
O'FALLON, Mo. - The Salukis fell in a close match on the road against Saint Louis University, 4-3, on Thursday. Southern Illinois moves to 8-9 on the season.
"Even though it was a loss, we competed with good energy and positivity," head coach Audra Anderson said. "They were a solid team, and I knew it would be close. It always is with SLU"
SIU was unable to be the first team to beat SLU on the Billiken's home court this season with the win moving them to 17-3 on the season and 10-0 at home. The Billikens started strong, winning the doubles point, forcing the Salukis to be down 1-0 heading to singles play. The pairing of Vitoria Beirao and Katie Fries at the No. 3 doubles spot was tied before the match was called.
In singles play SIU found life, getting wins from the top and bottom of their lineup. Xiwei Cai, Katie Fries, and Polina Dozortseva, were all able to defeat their opponents, giving the Salukis their three wins on the day. Playing from the No. 1 spot, Cai was able to win in three sets after losing the first, moving her record from the position to 5-4. A win by Katie Fries at the No. 5 slot improves her record to 12-8 on the season.
"Katie played well in her doubles debut of a team match, Xiwei had an excellent win at the No. 1 spot against a very solid player, and Polina had a great day too," Anderson said. "We had some good matches."
The Salukis are back in action today in their first conference match of the season against Evansville. The match is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. at University Courts.
Results
Doubles
L. Eleonore Tchakarova/Verginie Tchakarova (SLU) def. Xiwei Cai/Ana Sofia Cordero (SIU) 6-1
L. Aspen Cervin/Madison Cook (SLU) def. Athena Chrysanthou/Yana Golovkina (SIU) 6-4
DNF. Kelsey King/Natalia Yacaman (SLU) vs. Vitoria Beirao/Katie Fries (SIU) 4-4, unfinished
Singles
W. Xiwei Cai (SIU) def. Aspen Cervin (SLU) 2-6, 7-6, 10-8
L. Eleonore Tchakarova (SLU) def. Athena Chrysanthou (SIU) 6-4, 6-4
L. Verginie Tchakarova (SLU) def. Ana Sofia Cordero (SIU) 6-0, 6-1
L. Madison Cook (SLU) def. Yana Golovkina (SIU) 6-1, 6-4
W. Katie Fries (SIU) def. Kelsey King (SLU) 6-1, 7-5
W. Polina Dozortseva (SIU) def. Ally McKenzie (SLU) 6-2, 6-3
Players Mentioned
