#7 Tennis Falls in Opener to GCSU
The #7 ranked Brenau tennis team kicked of the 2016 season with a close loss against NCAA Division II #13 Georgia College and State University on Saturday at the Smithgall Tennis Center.
After dropping the #3 doubles match, the #2 team of Maya Mammetgulyeva and Kirsten Dickens won their match 8-5, and then the #1 pairing of Fatyha Berjane and Patricia Recalde Pacua won 8-4 to give the Golden Tigers a 2-1 lead going into singles play.
Georgia College regained the lead 3-2 after wins at #4 and #5 singles, but Berjane responded with a dominating 6-2, 6-2 victory at #1 singles to even the match.
The two teams split wins at #2 and #6 singles to make the match 4-4 with the deciding match at #3 singles. Freshman Rebecca Pijls won the first set 7-5, but dropped the final two sets to take the loss.
"From my point of view, it was an encouraging way to begin the season," said head coach Andre Ferreira. "GCSU is currently ranked #13 in NCAA II so we knew they had a tremendous team. Our new doubles combinations (at No. 2 and No. 3), as well as the three new players responded exceptionally well to the challenge. Combined with the quality of players we bring back from last season, I am confident we have a long but bright and fun season ahead of us."
The Golden Tigers continue their rigorous schedule as they host #21 SCAD-Atlanta on Friday, February 5th at 2 pm.
Final Results
Brenau 4, GCSU 5
Doubles:
1. Berjane/Recalde (BU) def. Clause-Pujo/Jones (GCSU) 8-4
2. Mammetgulyeva/Dickins (BU) def. Nicmi/Serdinia (GCSU) 8-5
3. M. Polk/Kelly (GCSU) def. Rives/Pijls (BU) 8-6
Singles:
1. Fatyha Berjane (BU) def. Camille Clause-Pujo (GCSU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Kristin Jones (GCSU) def. Patricia Recalde (BU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Macy Polk (GCSU) def. Rebecca Pijls (BU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-0
4. Jena Kelly (GCSU) def. Maya Mammetgulyeva (BU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Emma Nicmi (GCSU) def. Paula Rives (BU) 6-3, 6-2
6. Kirsten Dickins (BU) def. Hannah Serdinia (GCSU) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5