Lady Raider Netters Upset No. 42 SMU 4-3
DALLAS, Texas - Middle Tennessee (10-6) took a 1-0 lead to start the match against SMU (10-7) and the Pony's were unable to overcome an early 1-0 deficit dropping a 4-3 decision to the Lady Raiders Friday afternoon at Haggar Tennis Stadium.
SMU, ranked No. 42 in the ITA, battled back in singles play evening the score at 3-3 but were unable to close the deal as Middle Tennessee ended SMU's three-match winning streak.
The Lady Raiders took an early 1-0 lead after wins at both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles to start the match. Middle Tennessee easily won 8-2 at No. 2 doubles, and No. 11th ranked Manon Kruse and Carien Venter narrowly escaped the Pony No. 1 doubles team of Jenny Langer and Kit Carson, 9-8.
In singles SMU was carried by the bottom half of its lineup with wins at No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 singles. Nadia Vaughan won in straight sets at No. 4 singles, 6-3, 6-1, while Lynsie Jones won in straight sets as well at No. 5 singles, 6-4, 6-3. Halley Rambally dominated for the Ponies at No. 6 singles, taking a 6-0, 6-2 victory. Middle Tennessee's Kruse and Jennifer Klaschka won at both No. 1 and No. 2 singles, leaving the match to be decided at No. 3 singles.
SMU's Jenny Langer won set one at No. 3 singles 7-5, but dropped consecutive sets, 7-6, 7-5 to Venter as the Lady Raiders earned the road victory in Dallas.
The Lady Raiders return to action Monday, Mar. 29 when they host Marshall in their final home match of the season at Buck Bouldin Tennis Center.
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