Feb. 9, 2008

Box Score

By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Southern Illinois University women's tennis team fell to Samford 7-0, Saturday in Memphis. The Salukis had won the first three matches of the season before taking on the Bulldogs, they now have a 3-1 overall record.

The Salukis were able to win one doubles match, but it wasn't enough to get the team going. Sabine Tsala Mvilongo teamed up with Jessica Flannery at No. 1 doubles, falling to Anna Jackson and Katie Weaver, 8-2. At No. 2 doubles Michela Cruise and Martina Vianna Ce battled for the win, but Taylor Morgan and Lindsey Mallory won the match, 8-2. Amanda Taillefer and Ame Blacketer played hard at No. 3 doubles defeating Rebecca Kirven and Andrie Meiring, 8-3.

"Our No. 3 doubles team played really well," said head coach Audra Nothwehr. "Samford was really strong, it was hard to keep up with them."

Unfortunately the Salukis couldn't carry the momentum into singles, Tsala fell to Jackson at No.1 singles, 6-4, 6-4. Ce fought hard against Kirven at No.2 singles, but fell in the tiebreaker, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7 (4). Cruise and Morgan battled at No. 3 singles, but the victory went to Morgan with a 6-2, 6-1 win. At No. 4 singles, Flannery took on Meiring, 6-2, 6-0. Taillefer lost a tiebreaker against Mallory at No. 5 singles, 6-7 (2), 6-1. Andrea Courtney rounded out the match at No. 6 singles, but fell 6-0, 6-2, to Weaver.

"Martina and Sabine both had a great match and played really well," Nothwehr said. "We fought hard but they were going for their shots a little bit more."

Samford, 7 Southern Illinios, 0

Doubles
No. 1 - Jackson/Weaver def.Tsala/Flannery 8-2
No. 2 - Mallory/Morgan def. Cruise/Ce 8-2
No. 3 - Talliefer/Blacketer def. Kirven/Meiring 8-3

Singles
No. 1 - Anna Jackson def. Sabine Tsala Mvilongo 6-4, 6-4
No. 2 - Rebecca Kirven def. Martina Vianna Ce 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4)
No. 3 - Taylor Morgan def. Michela Cruise 6-2, 6-1
No. 4 - Andrie Meiring def. Jessica Flannery 6-2, 6-0
No. 5 - Lindsey Mallory def. Amanda Taillefer 7-6 (2), 6-1
No. 6 - Katie Weaver def. Andrea Courtney 6-0, 6-2