Manon Kruse Ties Doubles Record in Lady Raider Loss

Friday, April 2

Mobile, AL

1:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

South Alabama

4/2/2004 5:15:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: MT Media Relations

MOBILE, Ala. - No. 59th ranked Middle Tennessee women's tennis (10-8) fell to No. 56 South Alabama (10-7) 4-3 Friday at Bruce David Memorial Tennis Courts Friday.

South Alabama jumped out to an early 1-0 lead by winning the doubles point. Middle Tennessee got a victory at No. 1 doubles as 11th ranked Manon Kruse and Carien Venter defeated Catherine Perkins and Katarina Palenikova 8-4 to improve to 17-1 in the spring season. Kruse tied the school record for doubles wins in a career with 86, and needs just one more to take the lead. She already holds the singles record, which she broke on March 5 against Murray State.

South Alabama took a 3-0 lead with a win at No. 6 and No. 4 singles but the Lady Raiders came back to tie the match 3-3 with wins at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 5 doubles. The deciding point came at No. 3 singles with Lady Raider Venter facing off against South Alabma's Palenikova. Middle Tennessee dropped the match as Palenkikova took the win over Venter 7-6, 6-2.

Middle Tennessee will be back in action on April 23-25 when the Lady Raiders compete in the Sun Belt Tournament.