Feb. 4, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (SMU) - The No. 43 SMU women's tennis team demolished No. 71 Louisville this morning, 6-1. The Mustangs remain undefeated on the season with three wins as they head back to Dallas.

"We came out very determined today as a team," head coach Lauren Longbotham said. "Everyone played with a lot of discipline and fight. Playing against Troy and Louisville is a hard road trip and I'm really proud of how the girls played both days."

Jennifer Chay and Pavi Francis powered through Bianca Gorbea and Jo-Ann Van Aerde at No. 2 doubles winning in the tiebreaker, 9-8 (7-4). Due to not enough people on their roster, Louisville was forced to lose by default at No. 3 doubles, giving the Mustangs the second doubles win to secure the doubles point. Natalia Bubien and Claire Rietsch combined for a, 8-6, win over Robyn White and Natalie Laszkowski at No. 1.

"No. 2 doubles really stepped up today," Longbotham continued. "They were able to come from behind and won it in the tiebreaker."

In singles action, Bubien cruised past White at No. 1, 7-5, 6-0 while Rietsch took a win from Van Aerde at No. 3, 7-5, 6-3. Francis posted a win over Baez at No. 5 singles, 7-5, 7-5, clinching the match for the Mustangs and Georgiana Marta was not able to get past Gorbea as she fell, 7-5, 6-3. Chay notched one more point for the Mustangs when she overturned Laszkowski at No. 2 after falling in the first set, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. Kristen Reid won by default at No. 6 singles.

"I was really proud of how Chay played today. It was a really mentally challenging match for her and she fought hard and made it through. Everyone had hard-fought first sets and then took care of business to win the match."

"We are ready to come home and get some home wins."

Tennis Match ResultsSouthern Methodist vs Louisville2/4/2007 at Louisville, Ky.
#43 Southern Methodist 6, #70 Louisville 1
 Singles competition1. Bubien, Natalia (SMU) def. Robyn White (UOFL) 7-5, 6-02. Chay, Jennifer (SMU) def. Natalie Laszkowski (UOFL) 5-7, 6-3, 6-23. Rietsch, Claire (SMU) def. Jo-Ann Van Aerde (UOFL) 7-5, 6-34. Bianca Gorbea (UOFL) def. Marta, Georgiana (SMU) 7-5, 6-35. Francis, Pavi (SMU) def. Natalia Baez (UOFL) 7-5, 7-56. Reid, Kristen (SMU) won by default
 Doubles competition1. Bubien, Natalia/Rietsch, Claire (SMU) def. Robyn White/Natalie Laszkowski (UOFL) 8-62. Chay, Jennifer/Francis, Pavi (SMU) def. Bianca Gorbea/Jo-Ann Van Aerde (UOFL) 9-8 (7-4)3. Marta, Georgiana/Reid, Kristen (SMU) won by default
Match Notes:Southern Methodist 3-0; National ranking #43Louisville 2-4; National ranking #70Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (1,3,5,4,2)