Women's Tennis Downs Nationally Ranked Troy, 5-2

[MUSTANGTENNIS]

Women's Tennis Takes Down Troy, 5-2

Feb. 3, 2007

LOUSIVILLE, Ky. (SMU) - The No. 43 SMU women's tennis team toppled No. 70 Troy this afternoon, 5-2. The Mustangs remain undefeated on the season with two wins while handing Troy their first loss of the season.

"The girls showed a lot of fight today," head coach Lauren Longbotham said. "A lot of credit needs to be given to Troy because they are a lot better than the rankings show. They didn't give us any points, we had to earn every point. I am very proud of the team and how they played today."

In doubles action, Jennifer Chay and Pavi Francis took care of business at No. 3 as they took a, 8-3, win over Nicole Shaw and Caroline Jounia. Kristen Reid and Monica Neveklovska battled at the No. 2 spot with Stephanie Vieria and Annabelle Bares, but were not able to take the point as they fell, 9-8 (7-5). Natalie Bubien and Claire Rietsch clinched the doubles point for the Mustangs by toppling No. 46 doubles duo, Rawia El Sisi and Claudia Strauss, 9-8 (7-5), at No. 1.

"Natalia and Claire fought to come back and win which shows a lot of heart from them. We lost a heartbreaker at No. 2 but it was a really good match and they fought to the very end and didn't give up. Jennifer and Pavi played well at No. 3 and took care of business."

Reid started the Mustangs off with a head-start as she took a demanding, 6-1, 6-1, win over Shaw at No. 6 singles. Georgiana Marta cruised to a 6-3, 6-1, win over Vieria at No. 4 and Bubien clinched the match for the Mustangs as she battled with El Sisi at the No. 1 position. Bubien fell in the first set, but came back to take the final two for the win, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Chay was unable to overturn Bares at No. 2 as she fell, 7-5, 6-4. Rietsch fought hard with Strauss at No. 3 as she took the win, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6). At No. 5, Francis was not able to over take Fabiana Gouvia as she fell, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

"This is a good win for us and will help give us the confidence we need to go into the match against Louisville tomorrow."

The Mustangs remain in Louisville, Ky., as they are slated to take on No. 71 Louisville tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Tennis Match Results
Southern Methodist vs Troy
2/3/2007 at Louisville, Ky.
#43 Southern Methodist 5, #70 Troy 2

Singles competition
1. Bubien, Natalia (SMU) def. Rawia El Sisi (TROY) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
2. Annabelle Bares (TROY) def. Chay, Jennifer (SMU) 7-5, 6-4
3. Rietsch, Claire (SMU) def. Claudia Strauss (TROY) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6)
4. Marta, Georgiana (SMU) def. Stephanie Vieria (TROY) 6-3, 6-1
5. Fabiana Gouvia (TROY) def. Francis, Pavi (SMU) 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
6. Reid, Kristen (SMU) def. Nicole Shaw (TROY) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Rietsch, Claire/Bubien, Natalia (SMU) def. #46 Rawia El Sisi/Claudia Strauss (TROY) 9-8 (7-5)
2. Stephanie Vieria/Annabelle Bares (TROY) def. Reid, Kristen/Neveklovska, Monica (SMU) 9-8 (7-5)
3. Chay, Jennifer/Francis, Pavi (SMU) def. Nicole Shaw/Caroline Jounia (TROY) 8-3

Order of finish:
Doubles
3, 2, 1
Singles
6, 4, 1, 2, 3, 5