HAMMOND, La. – Putri Insani,
Polina Paunova and
Sonya Kanarskaya each picked up their first singles victories of the spring, but Alcorn State was able to outlast Southeastern Louisiana University in nonconference women's tennis action Tuesday afternoon at the Southeastern Tennis Complex.
Insani, a multi-time All-Southland performer, earned a singles wins for SLU (0-5), while freshmen Paunova and Kanarskaya each picked up their first collegiate dual match singles victories. However, the visiting Lady Braves (1-5) spoiled Southeastern's home opener with singles victories on courts 2, 5 and 6 after sweeping through doubles play.
"We came out flat in doubles play and didn't show a lot of emotion and that was the difference today," Southeastern head coach
Jason Hayes said. "I did see some positive signs in singles, but until we can raise our emotional level we're not going to be as successful as we can be. As we get healthy and back to full strength, we're going to keep working and see what we can accomplish."
After sweeping through doubles play, Alcorn State increased its lead to 2-0 with a straight-set win on the No. 5 singles court. Insani got Southeastern on the board on the top singles court, as she defeated Mikaela Konstantinov, 7-5, 6-2.
On No. 4, Kanarskaya tied up the match with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Stefany Grlj. The Lady Braves took the lead back with a win on court 2, but Paunova answered right back, bouncing back from a rough second set to outlast Kimberly Kaome, 6-1, 2-6, 7-5.
"It was encouraging to see Polina and Sonya get their first wins," Hayes commented. "They've both been battling some injuries, so hopefully this will help them get on the right path."
Southeastern will be back in action Saturday, hosting former Southland Conference foe Lamar at 11 a.m. at the Southeastern Tennis Complex.
40 LOVE CLUB
All membership fees and donations to both the 40 Love Club and S Club (tennis) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern tennis program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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