Williams' Clutch Performance Seals Win over Troy

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's Jacqui Williams' win at No. 5 singles proved the to be the deciding match to help lead the Lady Raider tennis team (2-0) to a 4-3 win over Troy University (0-3) Sunday at the Murfreesboro Racquet Club.

With the match tied at three all, it came down to Williams at No. 5 singles. After winning the opening set 6-4 to Troy's Christina Mancheno, she dropped the second set 4-6. The sophomore got a boost when the Middle Tennessee men's team came to the club after returning from their road trip, and with them and her teammates cheering her on, she go just the boost to be able to pick win in the third set 6-0.

"Jacqui's win was big for the team and for her," said Head Coach Neil Stapp. "Jacqui doesn't have a lot of singles match experience and she really showed how tough she can be in a pressure situation."

Middle Tennessee opened the match by winning the doubles point. The Lady Raiders got big wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles positions to go into singles play leading 1-0.

Senior Jennifer Klaschka improved to 2-0 at No. 1 singles by picking up her second consecutive win. She defeated Troy's Claudia Strauss 6-1, 6-2. Freshman Ann-Kristin Siljestrom also improved to 2-0 by blanking Nicole Shaw 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6 singles.

"Beginning the season 2-0 was big for the team and helped boost their confidence," Stapp said. "With our first road trip coming up, it was important to start off on a positive note."

Middle Tennessee travels to Louisville, Kentucky on Friday and Saturday to take on Louisville and New Mexico. The Lady Raiders play Louisville on February 11 and New Mexico on February 12.

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