Tennis Freshmen Come Up Big Against South Carolina State
3/14/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
ORLANDO, Fla. - Gonzaga University women's tennis split its singles matches and clinched a critical doubles point to defeat South Carolina State University 4-3 Thursday in Orlando.
The victory is the second for the Zags on it East Coast trip. Gonzaga is now 8-4 overall, 0-2 in West Coast Conference matches.
"This was a great win for us," head coach D.J. Gurule said. "We have not really been in a tight match yet. This was valuable experience for our young team."
By winning two of the three doubles matches, the Zags took what would be an important doubles point.
Samantha Polayes and Melanie Yates, playing as the No. 2 doubles team, handled Nataliya Dyatlova and Irina Cvjovic 8-1. Alexandra Tallas and Franziska Koehler, No. 3 doubles, seized the doubles point by beating Laura Bosneag and Victoria Khatcei 8-4.
"Once again, the doubles point was crucial," Gurule explained. "Tallas and Koehler really stepped it up when they noticed we had a split at one and two. I was very pleased how they came through and their play."
South Carolina State won the first two singles matches putting themselves back in the match. However, the Bulldogs responded by winning the next two singles matches.
No. 2 Kylie Peek downed Dyatlova 6-2, 6-1; and No. 6 Yates dropped Cvjovic 7-5, 1-6, 6-2.
The match was tied a three points each when Polayes came through to give Gonzaga the winning point. Polayes ousted Khatcei in a three set battle 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.
"I was very pleased with Melanie and Samantha today," Gurule said. "Both freshmen came up big for us in singles."
The Zags will go for a perfect week in Florida Friday when the team faces Radford University.
"Hopefully we can continue our good play in tomorrow's final match," Gurule said.
