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Women's Tennis Falls in Heartbreaker to Alabama
Feb. 9, 2007
Tuscaloosa, Ala. - The Furman women's tennis team dropped a 4-3 decision to the University of Alabama on Friday evening at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. After dropping the doubles point and two of the first three singles matches, the Crimson Tide swept the final three matches to earn the victory.
No. 69 Furman fell to 1-2 on the season, while No. 57 Alabama evened its record at 2-2 overall.
In doubles and singles competition, Furman was forced to alter its lineup due to an injury. With two new doubles combinations, the Paladins picked up wins at number one and two to take a 1-0 lead into singles competition. Junior Lauren Osborne and sophomore Lauren Tomory topped Sofia Ayala and Andrea Brenes, 8-3, at the number two position. Sophomore Laura Gioia and junior Natasa Manojlovic sealed the deal with an 8-3 victory of their own over Mari Muller and Nicole Briceno.
The Lady Paladins quickly improved their lead to 3-1 with singles wins at number one and three. Gioia made quick work of Muller at the top spot, posting a 6-0, 6-2 victory. Following a Crimson Tide win at number two, senior Bonnie Baird topped Ayala, 6-1, 7-5, to increase the Paladin advantage. In one of the most competitive matches of the afternoon, Manojlovic had a chance to give Furman the victory in a match that went three sets against Bama's Briceno. Briceno pulled out the win, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. Alabama took the remaining two singles matches of the day to earn the victory.
Furman remains in Tuscaloosa to face the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m.
#57 Alabama 4, #69 Furman 3
Doubles
1. Laura Gioia/Natasa Manojlovic (FU) def. Mari Muller/Nicole Briceno (UofA) 8-3
2. Lauren Osborne/Lauren Tomory (FU) def. Sofia Ayala/Andrea Brenes (UofA) 8-3
3. Shelly Godwin/Bianca Svensson (UofA) def. Lisa Bornt-Davis/Bonnie Baird (FU) 8-0
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1
Singles
1. Gioia (FU) def. Muller (UofA) 6-0, 6-2
2. Godwin (UofA) def. Osborne (FU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Baird (FU) def. Ayala (UofA) 6-1, 7-6
4. Briceno (UofA) def. Manojlovic (FU) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
5. Alice Tunaru (UofA) def. Tomory (FU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Svensson (UofA) def. Wanjiku Ngaruiya (FU) 6-4, 6-0*
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
* Match-clinching victory
