Murray State Women's Tennis Finishes Weekend With A Win

Saturday, March 4

Oxford, Ohio

6:00 p.m.

Murray State

University of Dayton

Murray State Women's Tennis Finishes Weekend With A Win

3/5/2006 6:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

Murray State University's women's tennis team finished off three weekend matches with a 5-1 victory over Wright State University on Sunday in Hamilton, Ohio. The Racers were playing only 12 hours after falling to the University of Dayton, 5-2, on Saturday evening. Injuries played havoc with MSU Head Coach Connie Keasling's line-up over the weekend.

Only three of the team's six players were completely healthy for Saturday's late match with Dayton. Juniors Anna Lask and Casady Pruitt suffered injuries during Saturday's first match against Miami (Ohio). Junior Rachael Lask was not playing at full strength when the weekend began.

Against Dayton the injuries were just too much to overcome, but the Racers gave it their best. MSU opened play by winning two of three doubles matches to earn the doubles point and an early 1-0 advantage.

Anna and Rachael Lask defeated Allysa Detroy and Kate Mellion at number one doubles by a score of 8-6. Tami McQueen and Adriana Alvarez's 9-7 win at number three doubles gave Murray State the doubles point. MSU just missed sweeping the doubles matches when Megan Gray and Nikki Dzubay of Dayton edged Casady Pruitt and Anne Pennington in a tie-breaker, 9-8 (7-5).

When singles play began, Anna Lask could not play and Rachael Lask was forced to retire in the second set. Pruitt's straight set, 6-1 and 6-3, victory over Mellion at number two singles was the only win the Racers could muster in singles play.

“The second match on Saturday after just a one hour break was just too much for our six players,” said Keasling. “They gave it all they had and I'm proud of the way they battled.”

In Sunday's match against Wright State only singles matches were played. The Racers had little problem with WSU, winning five matches in straight sets.

Anna Lask returned to beat Tiffani Foster, 6-2 and 6-3, at number one singles. Rachael Lask took care of business at number two singles with a 6-2 and 6-4 victory over Jessica Lee. Pruitt finished the weekend with two wins in three singles matches after downing Laura Culbertson, 6-3 and 6-2, at number four singles.

“They really bounced back this morning against Wright State,” said Keasling. “I really don't know how they did it just 12 hours after the loss to Dayton.”

The Racers will have six days to rest before facing Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The match is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.

Tennis Match Results
Murray State University vs Wright State University
Mar. 5, 2006 at Hamilton, Ohio (Riverside Racquet Club)

Murray State 2, Wright State 5-1

Singles competition:
1. Anna Lask (MUR) def. Tiffani Foster (WSU) 6-2, 6-3
2. Rachael Lask (MUR) def. Jessica Lee (WSU) 6-2, 6-4
3. Audra Beckett (WSU) def. Anne Pennington (MUR) 6-4, 7-5
4. Casady Pruitt (MUR) def. Laura Culbertson (WSU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Adriana Alvarez (MUR) def. Karina Presti (WSU) 6-0, 7-5
6. Tami McQueen (MUR) def. Christa Ames (WSU) 6-3, 6-0

Doubles competition:
No doubles matches were played

Match Notes:
Wright State 4-7
Murray State 3-4

Tennis Match Results
Murray State University vs University of Dayton
Mar. 4, 2006 at Hamilton, Ohio (Riverside Racquet Club)

Dayton 5, Murray State 2

Singles competition:
1. Allysa Detroy (UD) def. Rachael Lask (MUR) 6-4, 0-1 retired
2. Casady Pruitt (MUR) def. Kate Mellion (UD) 6-1, 6-3
3. Nikki Dzubay (UD) def. Anne Pennington (MUR) 6-4, 6-0
4. Megan Gray (UD) def. Adriana Alvarez (MUR) 6-2, 6-3
5. Andrea Muresan (UD) def. Tami McQueen (MUR) 6-2, 6-3
6. Carrie Trigilio (UD) won by default

Doubles competition:
1. Anna Lask/Rachael Lask (MUR) def. Allysa Detroy/Kate Mellion (UD) 8-6
2. Megan Gray/Nikki Dzubay (UD) def. Anne Pennington/Casady Pruitt (MUR) 9-8 (7-5)
3. Adriana Alvarez/Tami McQueen (MUR) def. Carrie Trigilio/Mackenzie Hoops (UD) 9-7

Match Notes:
Dayton 5-6
Murray State 2-4