JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman women's tennis team will look to win its third consecutive match for the first time during the 2017 season against the University of the Cumberlands.
Carson-Newman (6-6, 5-3) has won two consecutive matches against South Atlantic Conference opponents, Newberry and Lincoln Memorial. Cumberlands (8-6) is coming off of two consecutive wins against Midway University and the University of Pikeville. The Patriots swept both matchups 9-0.
Last season the Eagles defeated the Patriots 7-2, with the Eagles sweeping doubles play last season. Jill Corsato-Owsianka (Germany) is the only current Eagle with a victory against the Patriots. Corsato-Owsianka won at No.3 singles in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.
The Eagles are led by preseason All-SAC selections Ali Harris (Crossville, Tenn.) and Corsato-Owsianka. Harris is 4-8 on the season at No. 1 singles, but has begun to get back to her winning ways with a three set victory over Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday afternoon. Corsato-Owsianka is the winner of two straight matches and has compiled a 6-6 overall record. Since moving down to No. 3 singles the junior is 3-1 on the season.
Corsato-Owsianka and Harris are also the Eagles No.1 doubles combination. The tandem has stayed consistent all year at the top doubles spot, compiling an overall record of 5-5 on the season.
A trio of freshman have emerged for the Eagles during the 2017 season. Alisa Liashova (Ukraine), Klara Vuckovic (Germany) and Lindy Tatum (Henderson, Tenn.) have all won at least five matches this season. Liashova leads the way for the freshman trio at No. 2 singles. The native of Ukraine has compiled a 5-7 record on the season while splitting time at both the No. 2 and No.3 singles spots.
Vuckovic looks to have gotten over the early freshman struggles while winning two consecutive matches. The German native is 6-6 overall on the year and 5-3 within conference play at the No. 4 singles position. Tatum has picked up her pace of play as of late winning her last two contests, including a game clinching match for the Eagles against Newberry. The freshman is now 6-8 on the year and 4-4 within conference play.
Ledington rounds out singles action for the Eagles at the No.6 position. The junior is 4-8 on the year and 3-5 within conference play. The Kentucky native will look to break her habit of alternating wins and losses.
The No.2 doubles team of Liashova and Vuckovic has been red hot of late winning, four straight matches. The duo are 8-2 on the season and 7-1 within conference play. The final doubles team of Ledington and Tatum will look to change their misfortune around on Thursday afternoon. The tandem has lost three consecutive matches and are just 2-8 on the season.
Carson-Newman and the University of the Cumberlands will play on Thursday, March 30 at 3 p.m.
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