– The Lee University women’s tennis team won its third consecutive match with a 6-3 defeat of The University of Alabama in Huntsville Thursday afternoon at the UAH Tennis Facility. The Lady Flames improved to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the Gulf South Conference, while the Chargers dropped to 5-5, 3-4 GSC.
“It feels good to win this one,” said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. “Alabama Huntsville are a good team and we had to work hard to get our wins. We haven’t beaten them before, so it’s always nice to get a win like that.”
The Lady Flames grabbed an 8-1 win by Carley Sickinger and Joanna (Asia) Grzegrzolka at No.
2 doubles and an 8-5 mark by Francesca Tondi and Marta Garcia-Nieto at the top position, combined with a default win at the third spot, to sweep the doubles competition and carry a 3-0 lead into singles competition.
“I think that’s probably the best doubles we’ve played this season,” said Hynes. “Carley and Asia got us off to a fast start and Fran and Marta controlled the court really well.”
Lee gained another team point with a default at No. 6 singles to build a 4-0 lead. UAH claimed the next two singles matches in the fifth and second slots to cut the Lee lead in half.
Grzegrzolka ended the UAH win streak with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 4 singles. The individual win also secured the team victory.
“Asia was awesome out there today,” added Hynes. “She stuck to her plan really well and played super disciplined tennis.”
Stefanie Mehlich held off Tondi at No. 1 singles for the 6-1, 6-4 win. Sickinger completed the team scoring and supplied the final margin with a 6-4, 7-5 advantage over Sarah Stearman.
“I’m really proud of this group. We’ve not had a ton of luck this year with injuries and it hasn’t stopped our energy one bit. We took advantage of a good situation and the girls should feel good about this one,” said Hynes.
The Lady Flames are scheduled to travel to Florence, Ala., on Sunday to challenge North Alabama. The GSC contest is set to begin at 10 a.m. EDT.
LEE UNIVERSITY 6, UAH 3
Singles competition
1. Stefanie Mehlich (UAH) def. Francesca Tondi (LEE-W) 6-1, 6-4
2. Cristina Cabanas (UAH) def. Marta Garcia-Nieto (LEE-W) 6-2, 6-1
3. Carley Sickinger (LEE-W) def. Sarah Stearman (UAH) 6-4, 7-5
4. Joanna Grzegrzolka (LEE-W) def. Monika Polakovic (UAH) 6-2, 6-1
5. Mariana Lopez (UAH) def. Laura Beth Hardesty (LEE-W) 6-2, 6-1
6. Nicole Shennett (LEE-W) def. No player (UAH), by default
Doubles competition
1. Francesca Tondi/Marta Garcia-Nieto (LEE-W) def. Sarah Stearman/Stefanie Mehlich (UAH) 8-5
2. Carley Sickinger/Joanna Grzegrzolka (LEE-W) def. Cristina Cabanas/Mariana Lopez (UAH) 8-1
3. Laura Beth Hardesty/Nicole Shennett (LEE-W) def. Monika Polakovic/No player (UAH), by default