Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Eastern Kentucky
Racers Win Battle of Unbeatens , Defeat EKU
4/5/2014 7:43:00 PM | Women's Tennis
They were the final two undefeated teams remaining in the OVC, now there is only one as the Murray State women's tennis team beat Eastern Kentucky, Saturday afternoon. The win puts the Racers at 7-0 in the OVC while the Colonials fall to 8-1.
The win by MSU snapped a 30-match conference winning streak EKU held, dating all the way back to 2011.
The Racers started the day with a bang, earning the doubles point by winning at the first and second draws. Carla Suga and Megan Blue were also leading the third draw when the match was called with the doubles point having already been decided.
Following the match Head Coach Olga Elkin said, "We knew this was going to be a difficult match and to walk out with a win we would need to play our best, and that's what we did. I'm really proud of these girls and the way they compete and step up to every challenge put in front of them."
Stepping back onto court one, Eleonore and Verginie Tchakarova defeated Kristina Labeja and Melissa Gerritsen 8-6. Andrea Eskauriatza and Erin Patton took home the other doubles point with an 8-4 win. The win is their 12th overall and puts them at 6-0 in the conference.
In singles, both Eskauriatza and Eleonore Tchakarova completed their day with their second wins. Eskauriatza needed to go to a third set for the first time this conference season to earn the win, 7-5, 2-6, 6-0. Tchakarova had a much easier time with her match, winning 6-1, 6-2.
The Racers led 3-2 with two matches still being played. Megan Blue and Verginie Tchakarova both won their opening sets at the fourth and fifth draw, but dropped the second forcing a decisive third. Blue and Saioa Oscoz battled hard to the end, but it was Blue coming out on top, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. Tchakarova's draw was called with the match having been decided.
Speaking about Blue, Elkin said, "Megan is a grinder and because of the way she plays, her matches tend to be a little bit longer. She's such a tough competitor and I know how hard she has worked at closing out matches so when we need her for that clutch point, she's ready."
Although EKU was the top team in the OVC, the schedule doesn't get any easier. The Racers will stay in the Eastern Time zone, as they head to Morehead to take on the third place Eagles. First serve is scheduled for 9 a.m. CDT.
