Feb. 9, 2008

Box Score

By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Southern Illinois University women's tennis team improved to a 3-0 record Friday after defeating the University of Memphis, 4-3.

Sabine Tsala Mvilongo and Jessica Flannery teamed up at No. 1 doubles to defeat Dara Toulch and Ekin Zafir, 8-2. Michela Cruise and Martina Vianna Ce battled for a win at the No. 2 seed, but fell 8-6 to Ashley Murdock and Marjorie Ondeck. Amanda Taillefer and Andrea Courtney won in No. 3 doubles against Kristin Chamberlain and Lindsey Wiseman, 8-4, allowing the Salukis to capture the doubles point.

Winning the doubles point was key for the Salukis, but it was Flannery's No. 4 singles match that stood as the turning point against the Tigers.

Starting out at No. 1, Tsala got the win against Chamberlain, 6-4, 6-4. Ce was unable to hold off Murdock resulting in a 6-2, 6-4 finish at No. 2. Cruise fell to Ondeck at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 6-4. The Salukis were tied 2-2 when Flannery lost her first set at No. 4 singles, but came for a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Wiseman. Competing at No. 5 singles, Taillefer gave Southern Illinois another point with a 6-2, 7-5 defeat over Toulch to secure the win. Courtney played a tough match at No. 6 singles, but fell 6-2, 6-3 to Zafir.

"The Memphis team was a lot better than they were last year," said head coach Audra Nothwehr. "To be honest, we really didn't play that great. But we had some people that really stepped up when we needed a win. Jess won the match for us at No. 4, she lost the first set, but then came back and won. She was the one who turned it around."

Southern Illinois 4, Memphis 3

Doubles
No. 1 - Sabine Tsala Mvilongo/Jessica Flannery def. Dara Toulch/Ekin Zafir (UM), 8-2
No. 2 - Ashley Murdock/Marjorie Ondeck (UM) def. Michela Cruise/Martina Vianna Ce, 8-6
No. 3 - Amanda Taillefer/Andrea Courtney def. Kristin Chamberlain/Lindsey Wiseman (UM), 8-4

Singles
No. 1 - Sabine Tsala Mvilongo def. Kristin Chamberlain (UM), 6-4, 6-4
No. 2 - Ashley Murdock (UM) def. Martina Vianna Ce, 6-2, 6-4
No. 3 - Marjorie Ondeck (UM) def. Michela Cruise, 6-3, 6-4
No. 4 - Jessica Flannery def. Lindsey Wiseman (UM), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
No. 5 - Amanda Taillefer def. Dara Toulch (UM), 6-2, 7-5
No. 6 - Ekin Zafir (UM) def. Andrea Courtney, 6-2, 6-3