The Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) women’s tennis team continued their winning streak with a 5-2 victory against Tennessee State (TSU) on Saturday at the Greg Adams Tennis Center. This win marks the Colonels’ third consecutive victory, improving their overall record to 4-6.
The day started with doubles matches, and the Colonels got off to a hot start by winning two out of three matches. Masha Fedenko and Daniela Hernandez paired up to defeat TSU’s Warona Mdlulwa and Jovana Nikolic 6-4, while Elena Tairian and Madison Hill won their match against A. Arrieta Castillo and Daniela Koleva 6-2. TSU’s Naomi Von Bose and Franka Sindicic managed to secure a win against EKU’s Emmeline Polevoi and Mariia Triska 6-4, but the Colonels’ victories in the No. 1 and No. 3 courts gave them the doubles point.
In singles play, the Colonels’ dominance continued. Fedenko, playing in the No. 1 spot, won her match against Mdlulwa 6-0, 6-4, while Polevoi defeated Von Bose 6-3, 6-3 from the No. 2 position. Tairian’s opponent, Jovana Nikolic, retired early in the match, giving Tairian the win at No. 3. The most exciting match of the day was from the No. 4 spot, as Hernandez came back from a 4-0 deficit in the final set to win 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 against Koleva. TSU’s Arrieta Castillo managed to secure a win against Hill 6-2, 7-6 (7-2), while Sindicic defeated Triska 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 10-4 in the No. 6 spot.
Overall, it was a solid performance by the EKU women’s tennis team, who extended their winning streak to three matches. Head coach Rob Oertel praised his team’s efforts, saying “I’m proud of the way our team competed today. We’re starting to put things together and it’s exciting to see the progress we’re making.”
The Colonels’ next challenge will be against a tough opponent, Lipscomb University, on March 4th. Lipscomb currently has an overall record of 4-2 and is coming off a 4-3 win against Austin Peay. The EKU women’s tennis team will have their work cut out for them, but if they continue to play with the same level of intensity and focus, they may be able to extend their winning streak even further.
