Stephen F. Austin
McNeese State
SFA Wins 4-2 To Remain Perfect in SLC Play
4/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Stephen F. Austin 4, McNeese State 2
Schlief Tennis Complex · Nacogdoches, Texas
Records: SFA (13-5, 7-0 SLC); McN (10-6, 6-2 SLC)
Up Next: vs. Nicholls · Saturday, Apr. 11 · 11 a.m.
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin took four of the five completed singles bouts to remain perfect in Southland Conference play, defeating McNeese State 4-2 at the Schlief Tennis Complex. The Ladyjacks improve to 13-5 on the year and 7-0 in SLC play.
"The girls want a championship badly," said head coach Roberto Aspillaga. "That level of expectation comes with caring and nerves. We didn't play the doubles well because of it, but the girls did a great job regrouping and going back to focusing on what they can control. Overall, I'm a very proud coach. The girls are coming together and are fighting and playing with a lot of heart. That is what college sports is all about."
SFA fell behind early as McNeese State swept the doubles competition, earning the 8-5 victory at the No. 1 spot and the 8-6 victory at the No. 3 position, leaving the No. 2 match unfinished as the Cowgirls picked up the early point.
But the Ladyjacks responded in singles play, beginning with a 6-1, 6-0 victory by No. 3 Vivienne Kulicke, followed by a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win by Julia Lorca in the No. 6 position after McNeese claimed the win at the No. 2 spot.
No. 4 Dhanilelly Quevedo added another win for the Ladyjacks with a 6-1, 7-6 (5) decision, and then senior Malena Gordo clinched the match for SFA with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 decision at the No. 1 spot.
It came on the heels of recognizing both Gordo and Lorca for their contributions to SFA tennis on Senior Day as the duo showed why they have been key members of the program for the past four years.
"I am extremely happy for Malena and Julia," Aspillaga said. "Senior Day can be an emotional day and often it is not easy to bring your `A' game. They managed to use the emotion in a positive way and win two key victories for us today."
SFA gets set to play its home finale Saturday morning in what is arguably the biggest match of the SLC season. The Ladyjacks host second-place Nicholls at 11 a.m. at the Schlief Tennis Complex as the Colonels are right on the heels of the Ladyjacks, sitting in second place in the conference standings at 8-1 in SLC play and 11-4 overall.
Weather could be a factor in the game as possible heavy rains are forecasted for the Nacogdoches area through the weekend. Should rain prevent the match from being played outdoors, the two teams will head to the indoor facility in Ennis and play later in the afternoon. Stay tuned to @SFA_Tennis and SFAJacks.com for any updates regarding changes to the schedule.
SFA 4, McNeese State 2
Singles Competition
#1 -- Malena Gordo (SFA) def. Klaudia Gawlik (McN) 1-6, 6-3, 6-4
#2 -- Julia Kral (McN) def. Denise Maxl (SFA) 6-4, 6-2
#3 -- Vivienne Kulicke (SFA) def. Hannah Brett (McN) 6-1, 6-0
#4 -- Dhanielly Quevedo (SFA) def. Vivien Borbely (McN) 6-1, 7-6 (5)
#5 -- Valeria Terentyeva (SFA) vs. Sarah Jurakova (McN) unfinished
#6 -- Julia Lorca (SFA) def. Anastasija Trubich (McN) 7-6 (4), 6-1
Doubles Competition
#1 -- Klaudia Gawlik/Anastasija Trubich (McN) def. Dhanielly Quevedo/Malena Gordo (SFA) 8-5
#2 -- Julia Lorca/Denise Maxl (SFA) vs. Julia Kral/Hannah Brett (McN) unfinished
#3 -- Sarah Jurakova/Vivien Borbely (McN) def. Vivienne Kulicke/Valeria Terentyeva (SFA) 8-6
-SFA-
Players Mentioned
