APSU Sports: Austin Peay Women’s Tennis
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University women’s tennis team helped itself out in the march to an Ohio Valley Conference Tournament berth, grinding out a 4-3 victory against Belmont at the Austin Peay Tennis Courts.
The Lady Govs doubles set the tone early, winning a crucial early point. Junior Andra Cornea and sophomore Ornella Di Salvo won the No. 1 match, defeating Sandra Kancheva and Nikki Maciel, 8-2. Sophomores Vanessa Tavares and Alison Carre knocked off Catherine Holliday and Fabiana Mersan, 8-6, at No. 2.
“The doubles point has been huge for us this year,” said head coach Ross Brown. “It seems like when we win in doubles, we go on to do well in the match.”
In singles action, the Lady Govs top three seeds rose to the occasion, each winning their matches to secure the Lady Govs victory. Carre won the No. 1 match in convincing fashion, defeating Maciel 6-0, 6-1. Di Salvo survived a challenge from Holliday, winning 6-2, 7-5, at No. 2 singles, while Cornea took down Carolyn Caire, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 3 singles.
“Ornella got a much-needed win for us,” Brown said. “We’re not in the OVC tournament yet, but we feel like we have a good chance.”
The Lady Govs close out the regular season, next weekend, hosting Jacksonville State in a 10:00am, Sunday match.
Box Score
| Singles competition |
| 1. CARRE, Alison (APSUW) def. Nikki Maciel (BELW) 6-0, 6-1 |
| 2. DI SALVO, Ornella (APSUW) def. Catherine Holliday (BELW) 6-2, 7-5 |
| 3. CORNEA, Andra (APSUW) def. Carolyn Caire (BELW) 6-3, 6-2 |
| 4. Fabiana Mersan (BELW) def. TAVARES, Vanessa (APSUW) 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 |
| 5. Natalia Nunes (BELW) def. KARAC, Jovana (APSUW) 6-1, 6-2 |
| 6. Ann Lauren Fiepke (BELW) def. COVINGTON, Julie (APSUW) 6-1, 6-0 |
| Doubles competition |
| 1. CORNEA, Andra/DI SALVO, Ornella (APSUW) def. Sandra Kancheva/Nikki Maciel (BELW) 8-2 |
| 2. TAVARES, Vanessa/CARRE, Alison (APSUW) def. Catherine Holliday/Fabiana Mersan (BELW) 8-6 |
| 3. Carolyn Caire/Natalia Nunes (BELW) def. KARAC, Jovana/KUBEK, Mary Theresa (APSUW) 8-2 |
| Match Notes |
| Belmont 7-10 |
| Austin Peay 9-11 |
