Strong Doubles Play, Four Singles Victories Fuel Racers in Win Over Jacksonville State

Saturday, March 27

Murray, Ky.

11 A.M.

Murray State

Jacksonville State

Photo by: Dan Hasko - Murray State Athletics

Strong Doubles Play, Four Singles Victories Fuel Racers in Win Over Jacksonville State

3/27/2021 8:30:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Racers improve to 2-0 in the OVC after 5-2 victory over JSU

Murray State women's tennis played host to Jacksonville State on Saturday in its second OVC contest of the 2021 campaign. The Racers improved to 2-0 against conference foes on the season with a 5-2 victory behind four singles wins and the doubles point at the Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts in Murray, Ky.

"We knew we were going to have our hands full with Jacksonville State because they were coming from a big win against the defending champions at Austin Peay yesterday, but our team stayed composed and we played very smart in the big moments. Before the match, we spoke about using the opportunities we were going to have to make a difference for the team, and that's exactly what everyone did today," said MSU head coach Jorge Caetano.

The Racers secured the doubles point when Sara Loncarevic and Sarah Bureau teamed up to earn a 6-4 victory at the #1, while the duo of Marit Kreugel and Stasya Sharapova cruised to a 6-2 win at the #2 position.

"Marit and Stasya played some of the best doubles I have seen them play, and that was key to put pressure on Jacksonville State on the other two courts. Our doubles were both down 4-1 and found a way to adapt to their opponents and fight back to give us the doubles point," added Caetano.

In singles, the Racers got victories from Sara Loncarevic (6-1, 6-1), Sarah Bureau (6-3, 6-0), Anja Loncarevic (6-3, 6-0), and Gabrielle Geolier (2-6, 6-2, 7-6) at the #1, #3, #5, and #6 positions respectively.

"Sara L, Anja and Sarah B were dominating on their courts, and as a coach you hope for performances like that to happen as often as possible because those three quick wins guaranteed our victory. Anja and Sarah B were super consistent again for us, and Sara L just dominated her opponent and played some of the best tennis I have seen her play. Gaby played one of her good friends from home, and even though it wasn't pretty, I am just happy to see her finding a way to win when she wasn't playing her best which is huge for a freshman."

For Anja Loncarevic and Geolier, their singles victories mark their fourth-straight wins in singles competition, while Bureau notches her team-leading eighth victory of the campaign.

The Racers return to action on Friday when they open a two-match road trip against UT Martin that precedes a Saturday meeting with Southeast Missouri.