APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – The Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s tennis team captured its first regular season Ohio Valley Conference Championship since 1989 with a 6-1 victory over Belmont on Senior Day, Saturday, at the Governors Tennis Center.
The Governors (20-0, 8-0 OVC) also completed an unbeaten regular season and honored Helena Kuppig, Claudia Yanes Garcia, and Lidia Yanes Garcia for their four-year contributions as Governors.
The Govs got off to a quick start in doubles, with the No. 1 duo of Honoka Nakanishi and Tatiana Lopez extending their record doubles winning streak to 12 matches with a 6-3 win. Shortly after, the Yanes Garcia sisters also won 6-3 at the No. 2 spot for their 11th straight victory, as the top two pairings continue to share a friendly competition over the doubles win streak record.
Up 1-0 going into singles, the Yanes Garcia twins outclassed their opponents from the first serve. Claudia dominated her opponent with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 1 singles to put the Govs up 2-0, before Lidia won 6-1, 6-3, to put the Govs on the brink of a title.
The spotlight was not too bright for Fabienne Schmidt, as the reigning OVC Freshman of the Year won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, to clinch the unbeaten season, the regular season title, and the No. 1 seed in next week’s tournament in one swoop.
The Govs also saw Danielle Morris rebound from her first loss in 11 matches against Murray State, as she took control early for a 6-2, 6-3 win at the No. 6 spot. Kuppig gave herself a memorable Senior Day with a three-set win at No. 5 singles. Kuppig has now won 16 straight matches, tying her teammate Lidia Yanes Garcia’s streak last season for third all-time in program history.
“I’m so very proud of our young women,” said Governors head coach Ross Brown. “I believe in them and their tennis skills and this amazing season doesn’t come together without support from our athletic department. I have to also thank my assistant Maria (Maria Sorbello) as she has had other opportunities, but chosen to stay with us. We are going to enjoy this for a couple of days, but then get ready to finish strong in the conference tournament. And as always, Lets Go Peay!”
The Govs will be the No. 1 seed in the OVC Tournament in Nashville Tennessee next weekend. They will play the winner of the match between the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds, 10:00am, Saturday, at Centennial Sportsplex.
Box Score
Austin Peay 6, Belmont 1
Doubles
1. Tatiana Lopez/Honoka Nakanishi (APSU) def. Peyton Lee/Erin Allen (BELW) 6-3
2. Claudia Yanes Garcia/Lidia Yanes Garcia (APSU) def. Drew Hawkins/Lauren Carelli (BELW) 6-3
3. Danielle Morris/Fabienne Schmidt (APSU) vs. Maria Plaksina/Terra Sheldon (BELW) 5-3, unfinished
Singles
1. Claudia Yanes Garcia (APSU) def. Drew Hawkins (BELW) 6-0, 6-1
2. Lidia Yanes Garcia (APSU) def. Peyton Lee (BELW) 6-1, 6-3
3. Erin Allen (BELW) def. Tatiana Lopez (APSU) 6-1, 7-5
4. Fabienne Schmidt (APSU) def. Maria Plaksina (BELW) 6-4, 6-1
5. Helena Kuppig (APSU) def. Terra Sheldon (BELW) 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (10-8)
6. Danielle Morris (APSU) def. Sarah Brackin (BELW) 6-2, 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (1,2,4,3,6,5)
