March 22, 2008

Complete Results

By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's tennis team welcomed the Purple Aces of Evansville Saturday, in their first conference match of the season. The 6-1 victory gives the Salukis a 7-5 overall record, 1-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The Salukis (6-5, 1-0) swept doubles, grabbing an early 1-0 lead against the Purple Aces (8-5, 0-1). Sabine Tsala Mvilongo and Jessica Flannery teamed up at No. 1 doubles against Kate Chybowski and Sara Whilhoite, capturing the point with an 8-6 victory. At No. 2 doubles, Martina Vianna Cé and Michela Cruise took on Lisa Kawamoto and Reitte Kotze, resulting in an 8-5 win for SIU. Teaming up at No. 3 doubles, Andrea Courtney and Amanda Taillefer grabbed an 8-1 victory over Stephanie Millis and Allison Cox.

"We were a lot more aggressive in doubles today, which is something we've been working on," said head coach Audra Nothwehr. "Even though we have some holes to fill, I think we're progressing in the right direction"

The Salukis kept the momentum as they entered singles, with Tsala battling at No. 1 against Evansville's top seed, Kawamoto, grabbing a 7-5, 6-4 win. Cé fought a tough match at No. 2 singles against Chybowski, but was unable to hold out for the win, falling 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Chybowski. At No. 3 singles, Cruise defeated Wilhoite with an easy 6-2, 6-2 win to capture the point. Flannery paired up against Cox at No. 4 singles, grabbing a 6-1, 6-2 win to put the Salukis up 4-1. Agata Skorupska battled for a win at No. 5 singles against Millis, pulling out with a 6-3, 6-3 victory. Senior Amanda Taillefer wrapped up the match at No. 6 singles, with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Kotze.

"Jessica, Michela, Aggie, and Amanda all had great games, stayed aggressive, and stayed focused through the whole match," said Nothwehr. "We expect tomorrow's team to be a little tougher than today, so hopefully we can take that aggressive style and use it to get some wins tomorrow."

The Salukis will continue action at Sports Blast Sunday at 9 a.m., with a home match against Tennessee Tech.

Southern Illinois 6, Evansville 1

Singles
No. 1 - Sabine Tsala Mvilongo (SIU) def. Lisa Kawamoto (UE) 7-5, 6-4
No. 2 - Kate Chybowski (UE) def. Martina Vianna Cé (SIU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
No. 3 - Michela Cruise (SIU) def. Sara Wilhoite (UE) 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 - Jessica Flannery (SIU) def. Allison Cox (UE) 6-1. 6-2
No. 5 - Agata Skorupska (SIU) vs. Stephanie Millis (UE) 6-3, 6-3
No. 6 - Amanda Taillefer (SIU) vs. Riette Kotze (UE) 6-1, 6-4

Doubles
No. 1 - Flannery/Tsala (SIU) def. Chybowski/Wilhoite (UE) 8-6
No. 2 - Cruise/Cé (SIU) def. Kawamoto/Kotze (UE) 8-5
No. 3 - Courtney/Taillefer (SIU) def. Millis/Cox (UE) 8-1