April 10, 2009

Results

HAMMOND, La. - The Lamar University women's tennis team continued their hot play on Friday, winning their sixth straight match with a 5-2 victory, in a five hour match, over Southeastern Louisiana at the Southeastern Tennis Complex.

The Lady Lions struck first by winning the doubles point with a pair of tie breaker wins at No. 1 and No. 2. At the top spot Southeastern's pair of Audrey Chelini and Iva Velkovska outlasted Maria Gutierrez and Mariaryeni Gutierrez 9-8 with a 7-4 win the tie breaker, while Morgane Dadot and Ashley Longoria held on for a 9-8 (7-4) win at No. 2. The Lady Cardinals won the match at No. 3 by default.

In singles play Lamar dominated at the top four spots and added a point with a default victory at No. 6 to seal their sixth straight win. Mariaryeni Gutierrez took down Velkovska 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1, Maria Gutierrez defeated Chelini 6-3, 6-4 at No. 2, Carla Nava beat Dadot 6-1, 6-3 and Ashrafi took out Longoria 6-4, 7-6 (7-2). The Lady Lions Lone singles point came from Annika Hanke who outlasted Manami Kuroda 7-5, 5-6, 7-6 (7-4).

"This was a very hard fought victory against a good team," Lamar head coach David Wong said. "When we play Southeastern the intensity is kicked up a notch. We've built up a really good rivalry with them over the last couple of years and that always brings a little something extra to the matches. My girls did a great job of battling today.

"Unfortunately they (Southeastern) are playing without a full lineup due to a tragic accident to Nadine Steward. We wish her the best of luck on a speedy recovery."

The Lady Cardinals improve to 8-1 in Southland Conference play with the win, while boosting their season record to 18-5.

Lamar will be back in action on Saturday when they take on Nicholls State at noon in Thibodaux, La.