Coffey’s victory carries Middle Tennessee into semifinals

DENTON, Texas – Senior Taylor Coffey battled through three sets to garner a clinching win for the Middle Tennessee women’s tennis team Friday, lifting the Blue Raiders to a 4-2 triumph over South Alabama in Sun Belt Tournament quarterfinal action at the Waranch Tennis Complex in Denton, Texas.

Coffey’s victory came after a lengthy rain delay postponed the match that began at 8 a.m. Friday and did not conclude until almost 2:30 p.m. She handed the Lady Jags’ Mariya Krachok a 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 setback at the No. 6 position for the decisive point and the third MT singles triumph on the afternoon.

Middle Tennessee (15-6) opened the day by claiming the doubles point with wins at the No. 2 and 3 spots with the top slot ending unfinished. Senior Marietta Bigus and junior Yuiri Nomoto knocked off Ramona Ghermani and Mary Angela Martin, 8-3, during the No. 2 meeting.

The point then fell into the Blue Raiders’ favor with the No. 3 triumph by the pairing of senior Alex Dachos and sophomore Flavia Nagayama, who tallied an 8-5 decision against Krachok and Emily Newton.

As singles action began, Middle Tennessee quickly pushed its lead to 3-0 behind Nomoto and Nagayama victories. Nomoto registered a 6-4, 6-2 win against Alina Volman at the No. 1 slot, while Nagayama defeated Chane Hines 6-2, 6-2 at the No.3 position.

South Alabama (14-6), however, did not go away quickly and roared back to claim victories at No. 4 and 5 singles to close within a point, 3-2. The contest then was sealed with Coffey’s win, while junior Lexi Brand at No. 2 singles was in her third set when the match was called.

The Blue Raiders will continue tournament action in Saturday’s semifinals when it faces No. 2 seed FIU, who rallied to top No. 7 seed Troy Friday, 4-3.

Middle Tennessee 4, South Alabama 2

Singles
No. 1 Yuiri Nomoto (MT) def. Alina Volman (USA) 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 Lexi Brand (MT) vs. Ramona Ghermani (USA) 6-7, 6-3, 0-1 DNF
No. 3 Flavia Nagayama (MT) def. Chane Hines (USA) 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 Emily Newton (USA) def. Nayara Moraes (MT) 6-4, 6-4
No. 5 Mary Angela Martin (USA) def. Marietta Bigus (MT) 6-3, 6-1
No. 6 Taylor Coffey (MT) def. Mariya Krachok (USA) 7-6, 3-6, 6-2

Doubles
No. 1 Brand/Moraes (MT) vs. Hines/Volman (USA) 7-7 DNF
No. 2 Bigus/Nomoto (MT) def. Ghermani/Martin (USA) 8-3
No. 3 Alex Dachos/Nagayama (MT) def. Krachok/Newton (USA) 8-5

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