Blue Raiders Fall to South Alabama

MOBILE, Ala. - Middle Tennessee's tennis team fell to conference foe South Alabama, who is ranked 60th in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Poll, on Sunday 6-1.

Middle Tennessee (5-11) won the first doubles match as seniors Ann-Kristin Siljestrom and Claudia Szabo defeated USA's Katie Welch and Michaela Babicova 8-1.

The Jaguars (11-0) then won the doubles point by winning the next two matches 8-4 and 8-3 respectively to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

To begin singles action, sophomore Stephanie Parkison fell to Erica Krisan 6-3, 6-0. Then Siljestrom lost her match 6-3, 6-0 to Adrianna Solarova in No.1 singles as USA took a 3-0 lead in the match.

No. 97 Michaela Babicova defeated junior Elivra Yusupova in No. 2 singles 6-3, 6-2 to clinch the match for the Jaguars.

Junior Marlene Chemin was the next to finish for Middle Tennessee as she fell to Syleanie Spangenberg 6-2, 6-4.

Szabo notched the only win for the Blue Raiders defeated Welch as she retired in the second set. Szabo lost the first set 6-4.

Rounding out action for the Blue Raiders was junior Pooja Kommireddi who was the only Middle Tennessee player to force an extra set as she fell to Jelena Krivacevic 7-6, 6-4.

Middle Tennessee will be back in action on Saturday, March 15 when it plays host to Florida International at 10 a.m. at the Buck Bouldin Tennis Center. Admission to all tennis matches is free.

Singles
1. Adrianna Solarova (USAW) def. Ann-Kris Siljestrom (MT) 6-3, 6-0
2. #97 Michaela Babicova (USAW) def. Elvira Yusupova (MT) 6-3, 6-2
3. Erica Krisan (USAW) def. Stephanie Parkison (MT) 6-3, 6-0
4. Claudia Szabo (MT) def. Katie Welch (USAW) 4-6, retired
5. Sylvanie Spangenberg (USAW) def. Marlene Chemin (MT) 6-2, 6-4
6. Jelena Krivacevic (USAW) def. Pooja Kommireddi (MT) 7-6, 6-4

Doubles
1. Adrianna Solarova/Sylvanie Spangenberg (USAW) def. Elvira Yusupova/Marlene Chemin (MT) 8-4
2. Ann-Kris Siljestrom/Claudia Szabo (MT) def. Katie Welch/Michaela Babicova (USAW) 8-1
3. Jelena Krivacevic/Erica Krisan (USAW) def. Stephanie Parkison/Shannon Hartmann (MT) 8-3

Match Notes:
Middle Tennessee 3-9
University of South Alabama 11-0; National ranking #60
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,1,2,5,4,6)

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