Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Jacksonville State
Racers Open OVC Play with Win at JSU
3/18/2014 3:18:00 PM | Women's Tennis
For the sixth time in seven years, Murray State women's tennis won their conference opener. The Racers finally kicked off their OVC schedule, after being postponed two days by rain, at Jacksonville State. Â Finishing up their mini, two-match road trip, MSU defeated the Gamecocks 6-1 for their third straight win. The win improves their record to 6-3, and a season best three games above .500.
MSU took all three doubles matches to earn the opening point. For the tandem of Andrea Eskauriatza and Erin Patton, it was their fifth consecutive win as a doubles pair and seventh in eight decisions. In the No. 2 slot they defeated Aleksandra Cmiljic and Claudia Marsala 8-2. Eleonore and Verginie Tchakarova were victorious at first doubles, 8-5, while Carla Suga and Megan Blue won their third straight doubles match, 8-3, at the third doubles draw.
Patton has also found success in singles competition. She took her fourth straight win at the No. 6 draw with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Isidora Knezevic. She's now 12-5 overall and 6-1 in the spring.
After losing three of her first four decisions, Blue has now won three straight singles matches. In the No. 4 slot, Blue defeated Zoe Bizinos 6-4, 6-1 and is over .500 (4-3) for the first time since she started the spring 1-0.
Both Tchakarova sisters continued their winning ways in singles competition as well. Eleonore Tchakarova was the only Racer who needed to come from behind to claim victory. After dropping her first set at No. 3 singles, 4-6, to Marsala, Tchakarova stormed back to take the next two sets 6-3, 6-1. Verginie had a difficult time dispatching Danielle Kerindi in the No. 5 draw. The two traded blows, but Tchakarova was able to sweep the hard-fought match 7-5, 6-4.
Eskauriatza was MSU's final singles winner. She took down Raisa Guasti at No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-3, for her team-leading 14th overall win.
MSU will play their third match in as many days when they welcome #47 Tennessee to the Purcell Tennis Courts, Wednesday, March 19 for a nonconference match. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2003. First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m.
