MT Netters Play Well in Opener

Saturday, January 17

Auburn, AL

12:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

Alabama A&M

1/17/2015 8:25:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Blue Raiders earn split

By: @MTAthletics

AUBURN, Ala. – Middle Tennessee split its matches against No. 28 Auburn and Alabama A&M in the opener of the spring season Saturday.

The Blue Raiders (1-1) dominated their match against Alabama A&M, winning 4-0, while dropping a hard-fought 4-1 decision against Auburn.
Middle Tennessee's doubles teams and two individuals swept through their matches against Alabama A&M, prompting three other singles matches to be abandoned. Middle Tennessee was leading all three abandoned matches.

"Overall, I am pleased with our first performances of the season," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Shelley Godwin said. "We were competitive in both matches and held our own against a very, very good Auburn team that is one of the best in the country. We just have to keep working and improving. These were some good performances to build upon."

Giulia Squadrin defeated Jessica Taylor, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles, and Nayara Moraes defeated Jasmine Jenkins, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5 singles to complete the victory. Tiffany William and Darya Shulzhanok had already teamed to defeat Jessica Taylor and Virag Hollos, 5-1 at No. 1 doubles, and Nayara Moraes and Brittany Huxley won, 6-0, at No. 2 doubles.

When play was stopped against Alabama A&M, Tiffany William was leading 6-2, 3-0 at No. 1 singles, Jesse Grace was leading 6-1, 3-0 at No. 2 singles, and Brittany Huxley was leading 6-0, 4-0 at No. 4 singles.

Middle Tennessee also put up a strong showing against No. 28 Auburn before falling 4-1.

Guilia Squadrin defeated Andie Dikasavljevic, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in a riveting three-match triumph for Middle Tennessee's only win. Squadrin, a newcomer, began her Blue Raider career 2-0.

Brittany Huxley and Nayara Moraes were also outstanding against Auburn. Huxley dropped a tough three-set match, 5-7, 7-5, 3-6 against Paula DeMan at No. 5 singles. Moraes was in the midst of a back-and-forth match against Jen Pfeifler at No. 6 singles but the match was unfinished with Moraes leading 6-2, 4-6, 5-4. Sarya Shulzhanok also was eyeing victory at No. 2 singles but the match was unfinished with the score 7-6, 4-6, 6-6.

Tiffany William dropped a 1-6, 4-6 decision to Pleun Burgmans at No. 1 singles. Jesse Grace suffered a 2-6, 1-6 setback at No. 3.

Moraes and Huxley suffered a 2-7 setback at No. 2 doubles, and Grace and Squadrin dropped a 1-6 decision at No. 3 doubles. The No. 1 doubles match was unfinished with William and Shulzhanok trailing 4-5.