Feb. 9, 2008

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The UAB women's tennis team improved to 3-0 on the year by edging Northwestern State, 4-3, at Southern Miss Sunday afternoon. The Blazers got key victories at No. 1 and 2 singles from freshman Evelien Strijker and Gulsah Esen, respectively.

UAB won the doubles point after sweeping all three matches. At flight one, Strijker and senior Antonia Nugent earned an 8-6 victory, while Esen and freshman Giorgia Romeo won by the same score at No. 2. At No. 3, senior Seden Soyalp and freshman Jenny Cape also won 8-6.

"The doubles point was very crucial for us in this match," said UAB head coach Mert Ertunga. "The most pleasing thing to see was that we played so well in all three matches."

Strijker later closed out the match by coming back to win 2-6, 6-0, 6-4 at No. 1 singles. At flight two, Esen earned an impressive 6-2, 6-3 victory, while Romeo was also victorious in the dual, winning 6-1, 6-0 at No. 6.

"Evelien and Gulsah both played really well today and picked up two big wins against two very good players," Ertunga said.

Nugent lost 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 at No. 3 singles, while Cape lost in three sets as well in her match at No. 4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. Soyalp lost at flight five, 6-4, 6-4.

The Blazers will be back on the courts next Sunday when they travel to play Chattanooga at 12:00 p.m.