HUNTSVILLE ? Abilene Christian rallied from a set down in the number two and four singles matches and handed Sam Houston State's number one doubles pairing its first loss of the 2008-09 season to hand the Bearkats a 4-3 loss in a non-conference women's tennis dual match Sunday afternoon at the McAdams Courts.
Irina Sotnikova, Giorgia Pozzan and Paty Manzur won in straight sets for Sam Houston at number one, three and five singles, but the Wildcats' wins at number one and three doubles earned them the doubles point and the victory. A.CU is nationally ranked in NCAA Division II women's tennis
“Abilene Christian won the NCAA Division II national championship two years ago and ranked No. 5 in the nation last year, so we knew they were going to be a good team,” SHSU head coach Jim Giachino said. “They were tough top to bottom, but we had our chances. Hopefully, we learned some things today and can become a better team.”
Sotnikova and Taylor 7-5 lost in a tiebreaker at number one doubles to Irene Squillaci and Jaclyn Walker in the number one doubles after the Wildcats battled back from 5-1 down to tie the pro set 8-8.
Walker defeated Taylor 4-6 7-5 6-1 at number two singles and Sarah Drummond rallied for a 4-6 6-2 7-5 win at number four over Eleonora Kuruc.
Sotnikova remained unbeaten in singles with a 6-0 6-2 win at number one singles.
Tennis Match Results
Abilene Christian vs Sam Houston State
Feb 01, 2009 at Huntsville, TX
Abilene Christian 4, Sam Houston State 3
Doubles competition
1. Irene Squillaci/Jaclyn Walker (ACU) def. Irina Sotnikova/Peta Taylor (SHSU) 9-8 (7-5)
2. Giorgia Pozzan/Stasa Vujosevic (SHSU) def. Cassie Carver/Dina Paulin (ACU) 8-5
3. Sarah Drummond/Lauren White (ACU) def. Eleonora Kuruc/Paty Manzur (SHSU) 8-4
Singles competition
1. Irina Sotnikova (SHSU) def. Irene Squillaci (ACU) 6-0, 6-2
2. Jaclyn Walker (ACU) def. Peta Taylor (SHSU) 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
3. Giorgia Pozzan (SHSU) def. Dina Paulin (ACU) 6-2, 6-3
4. Sarah Drummond (ACU) def. Eleonora Kuruc (SHSU) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
5. Paty Manzur (SHSU) def. Cassie Carver (ACU) 6-3, 6-4
6. Natalie Friendi (ACU) def. Stasa Vujosevic (SHSU) 6-1, 6-2
