MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee women's tennis (2-1) defeated UT-Chattanooga (2-2) 4-3 Tuesday at the Racquet Club. The Lady Raiders won the doubles point to open the match and led 1-0 going into singles play. Junior Jennifer Klaschka, playing No. 2 singles, gave Middle Tennessee a 2-0 lead when she easily blanked Chattanooga's Cynthia Oulevay 6-0, 6-0.
It was then things got interesting as Chattanooga tied the match 2-2 after picking up wins at the No. 3 and No. 4 singles positions. Lady Raider Carien Venter lost to UTC's Lucie Barney 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 singles and Laura McNamara fell to Saskia Van Velze 6-2, 6-0 at No. 4 singles.
"They did a lot of counter punching with their shots," said head coach Randy Holden. "I knew UTC would be a tough team and told the girls to be prepared for a dogfight."
Senior Manon Kruse, ranked No. 54 in the ITA, gave the Lady Raiders a 3-2 lead when she defeated Charlotte Goude 6-4, 7-5 after a marathon match. After winning the first set, Kruse fell behind 5-3 but fought back to tie it 5-5 before she swept the last two games to get the win.
It was up to junior Ana Maria Cibils to give the Lady Raiders the needed last game to win the match. Cibils didn't disappoint as she put away Catherine Allen 6-4, 6-3 to give the Lady Raiders the last point and the win.
"Anytime you win a tight match it gives you confidence," Holden said. "We got nervous out there but we worked through it and picked up the win."
Middle Tennessee travels to Mississippi State on Saturday. Match time is set for 1 p.m.
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