#5 Golden Tigers Lose Thriller to #6 Xavier
The #5 Brenau Golden Tigers lost a tight match to #6 Xavier (La.) University in a battle of top ten teams.
In doubles play, the #1 team of Dominika Jasova and Zalina Nazarova defeated Nour Abbes and Dasia Howell 8-6 to start the Golden Tigers off with a win. However, Xavier captured the next two doubles wins to take a 2-1 lead into singles play.
The Golden Tigers rallied as #4 Stephanie Moniz made quick work in her match to even up the score. After Nazarova defeated the #6 player in the nation, Brion Flowers, to keep the score tied 4-4, all eyes turned to the #5 match. After winning the first set, Valeria Savina lost an incredibly tough match to give Xavier the win.
"Our girls came together in doubles and singles, but unfortunately Xavier pulled off the win," said head coach Andre Ferreira. "It was a fun match to be a part of. Of course a lot of emotions and you really don't like to lose a match this way, after fighting so hard. I think I learned a lot about our team in this match and how much we can count on each other. Hopefully this loss will serve us well in the upcoming matches and the rest of the season".
#5 Brenau 4, #6 Xavier 5
Doubles:
1. Jasova/Nazarova (BU) def. Abbes/Howell (XU) 8-6
2. Flowers/Nelson (XU) def. Perdomo/Moniz (BU) 9-7
3. Brown/Ewell (XU) def. Savina/Cohron (BU) 8-6
Singles:
1. Nour Abbes (XU) def. #5 Dominika Jasova (BU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
2. #20 Maria Perdomo (BU) def. #21 Kourtney Howell (XU) 7-5, 6-3
3. #40 Zalina Nazarova (BU) def. #6 Brion Flowers (XU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
4. Stephanie Moniz (BU) def. Brandi Nelson (XU) 6-3, 6-0
5. Simone-Alyse Ewell (XU) def. Valeria Savina (BU) 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4
6. Shanel Brwns (XU) def. Kelley Cohron (BU) 6-0, 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1, 3, 2); Singles (4, 6, 2, 1, 3, 5*)
The tennis team will pick up their season again on March 1st when they travel to Emmanuel (Ga.) College.