Lipscomb’s men’s and women’s Tennis teams each had matches against Austin Peay this past Saturday.
The men’s match was at the Richland Tennis Club, and the women’s match was at the Whitworth Racquet Club. The women faired better than the men by defeating Austin Peay 4-3. The men lost their match by a score of 6-1.
The women lost 2 out of the 3 doubles matches that gave Austin Peay the doubles point. Lipscomb’s Melissa Kromer and Laura Kent won their doubles match against Austin Peay’s Vanessa Tavares and Isabela Jovanovic.
The girls came back to make a statement in the singles matches winning 4 out of 6. Lipscomb’s No. 1 Deahna Welcher defeated Andra Cornea in a close match that ended 3-6, 6-2, (10-6). No. 2 Melissa Kromer, however, lost to Ornella Di Salvo in another close match that ended 2-6, 6-3, (8-10).
Lipscomb’s No. 5 Lorena Djuknic had one of the most meaningful matches of the night because it was the match that decided who would take the ultimate victory. Djuknic defeated Hannah Tatlock after two sets with a final score of 6-4, 6-3.
The men’s tennis team has faced a tough obstacle all season with only having five players instead of the usual six, therefore they have to give up a point in singles and doubles automatically in each match.
“We had a tough loss to Austin Peay State. This match was good for us though to show where we are as a team,” coach Mario Hernandez said. “Ultimately it showed that we need to be tougher as a team.”
No. 4 Miguel Cortez was the lone hero for the Bisons as the only player to win his singles match with a score of 6-4, 6-1.
Lipscomb’s No. 1 David Salazar and No. 2 Stuart Tierney each lost their matches. Tierney lost his in a close match that went to a tiebreaker.
The men travel to Kentucky next weekend to take on Morehead State, and the women travel to Mississippi to take on Ole Miss.
Photos courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics