Brenau Tennis Advances to the Quarter Finals
Mobile, AL - The No. 8 Brenau University Tennis Team played their first match in the NAIA National Championship, on Wednesday, May 18th. In the 2nd round of the tournament, the Golden Tigers faced off against Vanguard University (CA), at the Mobile Tennis Center. Hannah Thompson (England) and Lyn See Choo (Malaysia) competed at the No. 1 spot in doubles, for Brenau. They defeated Vanguard's Bergmanova and Malakhova, who was ranked No. 5 in the NAIA, 8-6. This victory permitted Choo and Thompson to be ranked as the No. 17 doubles team in the nation. At the No. 2 spot, Kate Mazackova (Czech Republic) and Liubov Orlova (Russia) battled against the Lady Lions, Valingsten and Gabashvili, but found defeat, 8-4. With the score 1-1, Brenau's doubles partners, Eline Nagels (Belgium) and Stephanie Moniz (England), took control over their match, in the No. 3 spot, by devastating Furuvald and Odera, 8-1.
The Golden Tigers started out singles play, with a lead 2-1. In the No. 1 spot, Lyn See Choo was served a loss by Bergmanova, 6-2, 6-1. Kate Mazackova rallied against Vanguard's Malakhova, and delivered Brenau their 3rd win of the match, with the scores 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. At the No. 3 spot, Hannah Thompson proved to be dominate on the court, against Valingsten; she won the match 7-6 (3-0), 7-6 (6-0). Liubov Orlova clenched another win for the Golden Tigers, from the No. 4 spot, while competing against Gabashvili, with the scores of 6-0, 7-6 (4-0). Eline Nagels tried to defend Brenau's lead; however, Furuvald took the victory, 6-3, 6-7 (0-3), 6-1. With the score being 4-4, all eyes were on the competition, at the No. 6 spot. Stephanie Moniz rose to the occasion as she grasped the Golden Tigers' 5th, and final, victory of the match. By defeating Tebeau, 6-1, 6-1, Brenau University was victorious over Vanguard University, with the final score of 5-4.
SINGLES COMPETITION:
1. Gabriela Bergmanova (VU) def. Lyn See Choo (BU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Kate Mazackova (BU) def. Kateryna Malakhova (VU) 6-1, 4-6, 7-5
3. Hannah Thompson (BU) def. Anna Valingsten (VU) 7-6 (3-0), 7-6 (6-0)
4. Ekaterina Gabashvili (VU) def. Liubov Orlova (BU) 6-0, 7-6 (4-0)
5. Brittnie Furuvald (VU) def. Eline Nagels (BU) 6-3, 6-7 (0-3), 6-1
6. Stephanie Moniz (BU) def. Ashley Tebeau (VU) 6-1, 6-1
DOUBLES COMPETITION:
1. Lyn See Choo/Hannah Thompson (BU) def. Bergmanova/Malakhova (VU) 8-6
2. Valingsten/Gabashvili (VU) def. Kate Mazackova/Liubov Orlova (BU) 8-4
3. Eline Nagels/Stephanie Moniz (BU) def. Furuvald/Odera (VU) 8-1
After the match, the Lady Lions dropped to a record of 11-11, as the Golden Tigers improved their overall record to 11-7. After celebrating their 1st win, in the 2011 National Championship, Brenau advances to the quarterfinals. They are scheduled to play against No. 1 Fresno Pacific (CA), who are the defending National Champions, on Thursday, May 19th, @ 2pm (est).