Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Eastern Illinois
Tennis Downs Panthers on Senior Day
3/30/2014 5:30:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Playing in her final home match at Murray State, Carla Suga and the women's tennis team defeated previous #69 ranked Eastern Illinois by a shut-out score of 7-0. Suga earned a win at second singles, 6-2, 6-4, in her final match on the Purcell Tennis Courts.
Following the match head coach Olga Elkin said, "It's been a pleasure to coach Carla the last two years. She is such a tremendous talent and has played really well for us. While I wish I could keep her around to play a few more years, I'm excited for her future. She's going to do some great things."
For the Racers it was their fifth straight consecutive win and eighth win in their last nine matches. The win improved their record to 11-4 and their 6-0 start in conference play is the best since the team went 9-0 in the 2003-04 season.
The afternoon started with the doubles matches, where Andrea Eskauriatza and Erin Patton were moved up from their customary No. 2 position, to the first draw. The two won their fourth straight match and improved to 11-2 on the season with their 8-4 win.
MSU was able to take the doubles point after Verginie and Eleonore Tchakarova were victorious at second doubles, with a convincing 8-1 win.
Moving along into singles the Racers swept all six courts, with each match ending in two sets. In addition to Suga in the No. 2 position, the Racers did not have much trouble putting the Panthers down. Eskauriatza and Patton earned their second wins of the day at first and sixth singles respectively, Eskauriatza was a 6-3, 6-3 winner, while Patton held down court six, 6-1, 6-2. It was both of their 10th wins this spring season.
Verginie and Eleonore Tchakarova picked up wins, 6-0, 6-0 and 6-3, 6-2 on courts five and three. The twins plus Eskauriatza share the lead with 18 overall wins this season.
Megan Blue was the Racers' final winner at the fourth draw, 6-2, 6-2.
"We knew the Illinois teams would make for a tough weekend," said Coach Elkin. "Edwardsville came within a match of beating Eastern Kentucky and EIU is a very solid team. Going 2-0 this weekend is a huge confidence boost heading into next weekend. I'm really proud of how the girls played and competed this weekend and I think they know they can compete with any team in the conference."
The Racers are finished with their home schedule and have four more matches before conference play – all on the road. They'll start their road trip Saturday, April 5 at Eastern Kentucky, the only other team undefeated in the OVC.
