April 25, 2008

Box Score

NACOGDOCHES - It has been a busy week for the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack tennis team. SFA hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Schlief Tennis Complex, which came only a week before SFA was to host the 2008 Southland Conference Championships. Later in the week, the Ladyjacks found out they earned a spot in the conference tournament. SFA faced top-seeded Southeastern Louisiana Friday afternoon, but lost a hard-fought match, 4-0.

"We were happy to qualify for the Southland Conference Championships," said SFA head coach Bret Arrant. "Our girls have worked very hard all season, and were determined to face Southeastern Louisiana. I thought that the girls came into the match with a positive attitude, but SLU is a very tough team. They have six seniors, and have won the conference the past three seasons. I was very proud of Roxana (Enica), Gabriela (Gadeva) and Tatiana (Smolnikova). They played three very good matches."

The Ladyjacks jumped out to quick 2-1 leads at both No. 1 and 2 doubles, before the Lady Lions battled back to win the point. The SFA duo of Mary Harrison and Roxana Enica battled the Lady Lions top team of Nina Knavs and Breda Kovac tough, before SLU rallied to win the match, and eventually the point.

Harrison also battled hard at the No. 2 singles spot before falling to Iva Velkovska, 6-1, 6-0. The Lady Lions closed out the match by taking the singles victories at Nos. 5 and 6 singles. SLU's Bonnie Phillips defeated Andreea Enica, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 5 singles, while the Lady Lions Nina Knavs defeated Christelle Kiempfer, 6-1, 6-0.

The Ladyjacks closed out the season with an 8-15 overall record. They also posted a 3-8 mark in league action this past season.

-SFA-