JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman women's tennis team used a late surge in singles play to come away with the 5-4 victory over Newberry on Friday afternoon at the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex.
"What a big win for us!" Carson-Newman tennis coach Jean Love said, "We were down 2-1 after doubles. Klara started us off with a win at No. 4 singles so that evened the score 2-2. Then we took two losses at No. 1 and No.2 singles. Jill came through at No. 3 singles and Sydney followed with a victory at No. 6 singles. That set up Lindy for a comeback as she had lost the first set. She fought back to win the second and third sets to clinch the team win. That was a big win for the freshman."
Carson-Newman (5-6, 4-3) was down early after doubles play against Newberry (12-5, 4-1) on Friday afternoon. The No. 1 doubles tandem of Ali Harris (Crossville, Tenn.) and Jill Corsato-Owsianka (Germany) lost 8-5 to open up the match. The duo is currently on a two match losing streak and have a 4-5 record on the year.
The No. 2 doubles tandem of Alisa Liashova (Ukraine) and Klara Vukovic (Germany) excelled once again. The duo won 8-2 in route to their third consecutive win and improved their record to 7-2 on the year. The pairing is also 6-1 in South Atlantic Conference play.
The No. 3 pairing of Sydney Ledington (Corbin, Ky.) and Lindy Tatum (Henderson, Tenn.) lost their second consecutive match 8-3. The duo are now just 2-7 on the year and 2-5 within conference play.
In singles play the woes continue for Harris at No. 1 singles. The sophomore has now lost four straight after a 6-2, 6-3 loss on Friday afternoon. The preseason all-conference selection is just 3-8 on the year and 2-5 within SAC play.
Liashova has now lost two straight matches after a 6-2, 6-0 loss at No. 2 singles. This was just the third time the freshman had started at the No. 2 singles position for the Eagles. Liashova is 5-6 overall on the year.
Vuckovic got the Eagles going down four game to two against Newberry. The German native won the No. 4 singles match 6-2, 6-4, giving the Eagles a much needed win. Corsato-Owsianka came through at the No. 3 singles position winning in straight sets 6-1, 6-4. The junior is now 5-6 on the year and 2-1 at the No. 3 position.
Ledington picked up the straight sets victory at No. 6 singles 6-3, 6-1. Ledington is now 4-7 on the year and her win forced a winner take all match at No. 5 singles. Tatum stepped up to the pressure and closed out the match for the Eagles. The freshman lost the opening set 2-6, but won the final two sets 6-3, 6-1. Tatum is now 5-8 on the season.
"This win today will hopefully give us some confidence as we head into next week with conference matches against LMU and Brevard," Love said.
The Eagles next match will be at home on March 28 against Lincoln Memorial at 1 p.m.
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