Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Alabama A&M
Women’s Tennis Returns to Action
3/15/2014 10:29:00 PM | Women's Tennis
After more than three full weeks of inactivity (partially due to inclement weather), Murray State's women's tennis team will be back on the court Monday, March 17 and Tuesday, March 18. The Racers will be making a trip to Alabama to open up their OVC schedule with Jacksonville State, after a nonconference match at Alabama A&M in Huntsville, Ala.
When we last left off, MSU had defeated Evansville, 6-1. It was their first win over the Purple Aces in four years. The Racers hold a 4-3 record on the young season, but are 1-2 away from Murray, Ky.
MSU has been getting strong play from a pair of sophomores. Erin Patton has won her last three singles matches and four doubles matches. Megan Blue got off to a rocky start, but has won back-to-back matches for the first time this season.
Racer newcomers Andrea Eskauriatza and Verginie Tchakarova have also been playing well of late. Tchakarova is tied with Patton with three straight singles victories while Eskauriatza leads the team with 13 overall wins.
Monday will mark the first ever meeting between MSU and Alabama A&M. The Bulldogs are 1-9 on the season and will enter the match coming off their first win over Division-II Albany State.
Oriana Rodriguez and Jessica Taylor have both won a pair of matches on the season playing at the first and second position, respectively, and are 2-4 as a doubles pair.
The Racers lead the all-time series with Jacksonville State, 8-4, however the Gamecocks have won three of the last four meetings. MSU started the series with six straight wins over JSU, but has only two since 2008.
JSU has been led by senior Raisa Guasti. Guasti has been playing at No. 1 singles for the Gamecocks and has a five-match winning streak heading into this week's matches.
Juniors Zoe Bizinos and Danielle Kerindi have also been successful of late on the doubles scene, where they have won four of their last five heading into the week.
The Gamecocks have already opened their OVC schedule and are 2-1 with wins over UT Martin and Austin Peay and a loss to Eastern Kentucky.
Both matches will begin at 11 a.m.
