Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
SIU Edwardsville
Racers Stay Perfect, Defeat SIUE
3/29/2014 7:21:00 PM | Women's Tennis
After over a three hour delay to dry the courts, the Murray State women's tennis team finally got their match in with SIU Edwardsville. The Racers walked out of the hard-fought match with their perfect conference record intact after a 4-2 win. MSU is now 10-4 on the season and 5-0 in the OVC.
Things did not start off well for the Racers. For the first time in OVC play, MSU did not take the doubles point. Andrea Eskauriatza and Erin Patton did their part on court two, sweeping 8-0, but the Racers fell at first and third doubles 8-5, and 8-6 respectively.
The Racers made up for the loss in singles competition however. Eskauriatza earned her second win of the afternoon at the top draw, 6-3, 7-6, in the tightest singles match.
Eleonore Tchakarova and Megan Blue earned wins on courts three and four to put the Racers up 3-1.
Needing only one more singles win to claim the match, Verginie Tchakarova took care of business. She defeated Haley Ilcewicz at fifth singles, 6-2, 6-2, to give the Racers their fifth straight conference win.
This marked the first match this season where MSU failed to take the doubles point and still won the match overall.
It was also Eskauriatza and Patton's 10th doubles win this season and third straight. Eskauriatza and both Eleonore and Verginie Tchakarova earned their 17th overall singles wins, matching Carla Suga's team high from a season ago.
The Racers will be back on the court tomorrow for their final home match of the season. MSU will battle Eastern Illinois with first serve scheduled for 10 a.m. The team will also honor lone senior, Carla Suga before the match.
