April 10, 2008
DALLAS (SMU)--The SMU women's tennis team defeated Arkansas State Thursday afternoon at the Turpin Tennis Stadium, pulling out a 4-3 win. The win halted the Mustangs' recent skid and righted the season record to 9-9.
Natalia Bubien and Pavi Francis showed again why they're the 41st-ranked doubles pair in the nation, taking a dominating 8-1 win over Renee Branker and Emaily Laing at No. 1. The Nos. 2 and 3 pairs didn't fare quite as well, with both losing 8-6.
"Jordan Hamilton and Sarah Acosta had a very good match at No. 3 doubles," said head coach Lauren Longbotham-Meisner. "They were very much in that match and came close to pulling out a win. I'm proud of the way they fought."
In singles, the Mustangs won at 1-4. Number 88 Bubien defeated Maria Oprea in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0. Bubien had a fight on her hands in the first set, but managed to overcome Oprea and put together a very strong second set. Francis was consistent on the second court, making Paula Chelminska work for each point she earned. Francis was able to put her away in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Nicole Briceno started up in her first set, but faltered to Rone Van Wyk midway through. She was able to recover in time to win the set 7-6 (5), and took the decisive second set 6-3. Kristen Reid fell to Branker in her first set, 2-6, but rallied to take the second 6-0. In the decisive third set, Reid came back to win, 6-3.
Hamilton fell at No. 5 to Leydi Zora, 6-0, 6-0, but Acosta had a hard-fought match at No. 6. Menna Kamal barely squeaked out a 7-5 win in the first set and put the match away with a 6-2 win in the second.
"Winning when you're not playing at your best is a good testament to your character," said Longbotham-Meisner. "Today, we weren't at our best and we found a way to win. I think that says a lot about this team. I'm proud of the way our girls fought, especially Sarah [Acosta]. We'll hope to duplicate these results Sunday."
The Mustangs will wrap up the regular season at 10am Sunday, April 13 on the Turpin Tennis Stadium courts, when they face Louisiana-Lafayette. From there, the team will head south to Houston for the Conference USA Women's Tennis Championships, April 18-20.
For the complete schedule and results, log on to SMUMustangs.com.
Southern Methodist 4, Arkansas State 3
Singles competition
1. #88 Natalia Bubien (SMU) def. Maria Oprea (ASU) 6-4, 6-0
2. Pavi Francis (SMU) def. Paula Chelminska (ASU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Nicole Briceno (SMU) def. Rone Van Wyk (ASU) 7-6 (0-5), 6-3
4. Kristen Reid (SMU) def. Renee Branker (ASU) 2-6, 6-0, 6-3
5. Leydi Zora (ASU) def. Jordan Hamilton (SMU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Menna Kamal (ASU) def. Sarah Acosta (SMU) 7-5, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #41 Natalia Bubien/Pavi Francis (SMU) def. Renee Branker/Emily Laing (ASU) 8-1
2. Maria Oprea/Paula Chelminska (ASU) def. Nicole Briceno/Kristen Reid (SMU) 8-6
3. Rone Van Wyk/Leydi Zora (ASU) def. Jordan Hamilton/Sarah Acosta (SMU) 8-6
Match Notes:
Arkansas State 11-8
Southern Methodist 9-9
