Feb. 8, 2008

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The UAB women's tennis team earned a 5-2 victory at Southern Miss on Friday to improve to 2-0 on the year and 1-0 in Conference USA. Freshman Jenny Cape closed out the victory with a 7-6, 6-4 victory at No. 4 singles.

"This was one of the best matches we have played in a long time," said UAB head coach Mert Ertunga. "We've had a good rivalry going with Southern Miss the past few years and after splitting our two matches with them last year, we came out and played really well today. I was especially pleased with how many close matches we won."

UAB narrowly won the doubles point as all three matches were decided by 8-6 scores. Senior Antonia Nugent and freshman Evelien Strijker lost at No. 1, while senior Gulsah Esen and freshman Giorgia Romeo won at No. 2. At flight three, senior Seden Soyalp and Cape came away with the victory.

Southern Miss earned a win at No. 1 singles as Strijker lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. At flight two, Esen earned a 7-6, 6-2 triumph, while Nugent dropped a three-set decision, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3.

Cape's 7-6, 6-4 victory at No. 4 sealed the victory for the Blazers. Soyalp won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 at flight five and Romeo earned a thrilling 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory at flight six.

"Giorgia's win was very good," Ertunga said. "She beat a very good player today and that was good to see so early in her collegiate career."

The Blazers will remain in Hattiesburg to take on Northwestern State at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.