Stephen F. Austin
North Texas
'Jacks Shutout North Texas
1/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Jan. 28, 2012
The Stephen F. Austin (3-2) women's tennis team was near flawless Saturday morning shutting out North Texas, 7-0, at the Waranch Tennis Complex in Denton, Texas.
"UNT is a very good team," said head coach Patrick Sullivan. "The score does not accurately indicate how close the match really was. North Texas lost to No. 25 Oklahoma, 4-3, just a couple of days ago so this team is very talented.
"We dug deep and played tough at all of the key moments of the match which was the difference. We need to keep this momentum going because we have to play a very tough Colorado team tomorrow," added Sullivan.
The 'Jacks scored the doubles point but had to rally for the score. After falling by a score of 8-6 at No. 3 doubles, the duo of senior Alina Shazhko and freshman Jithmie Jayawickrema defeated Nadia Lee and Franzi Sprinkmeyer, 8-6 to even the doubles matches. The tandem of freshmen Tereza Bekerova and Malena Gordo secured the point with their 8-6 win at No. 1 doubles.
Shazhko increased the lead to 2-0 when she posted a 6-3, 6-3 victory over UNT's Paula Dinuta at No. 4 singles, but that would serve to be the easiest victory of the day for the 'Jacks. Jayawickrema, freshman Elena Kordolaimi and junior Antonia Kolovou were each pushed to third sets before pulling out wins. The 'Jacks also received straight victories from Bekerova and Gordo at Nos. 1 and 6 singles, respectively.
The victory marked the team's first shutout of the season, and places SFA in the position of going for back-to-back wins Sunday when it faces Colorado. The match against the Buffs is slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. in Houston, Texas.
-SFA-
