NASHVILLE – The Lipscomb women’s tennis team bumped up their record to 2-2 after sneaking out with a 4-3 victory against Murray State at the Ensworth High School Tennis Center.
The Bisons fell at the start after losing in the doubles round competition, but that did not stop their momentum heading into the singles round.
Last week’s ASUN Women’s Tennis Player of the Week, Sasha Dobranos, dominated in her singles match, allowing her opponent to only win two games across two sets. Chattanooga native Maddox Brandy was the next Bison to win after surviving a tiebreaker in the first set.
With the score tied at 2-2, seniors Eleanor Chapman and Kate Popova found themselves in competitive sets with the match on the line. Down 3-2 in the second set, Chapman looked to find momentum.
When asked what was said to Chapman to turn the set around, head coach Jamie Aid indicated it was a mentality more than a strategy. “[I told her to] just have fun and play your game…if we’re gonna win or lose, let’s win or lose by playing our [style of] tennis,” Aid said. Chapman went from trailing a game in the second set to winning her match in a tiebreaker of 7-3.
With a chance to win the matchup against the Racers, Popova forced a third set after losing 7-5 in the first. Popova exhibited great resilience as a back-and-forth set resulted in a 7-5 third set win for Popova, and the match win for the Bisons as a team.
“Kate played phenomenal tonight…she’s been a three time all-conference [player] and freshman of the year. [She’s a player] where you want the match on someone’s shoulder,” Aid said.
Lipscomb improves to 2-2 while the Racers go to 4-2. The Bisons will have a quick turnaround as they play in Atlanta at Georgia State 1 p.m. Sunday. Lipscomb will play their next in-town event at rival Belmont on February 19.
Results:
Singles:
1. Sasha Dobranos (LIP) def. Pschorr (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Kate Popova (LIP) def. Bureau (MSU) 5-7, 6-2, 7-5
3. Sharapova (MSU) def. Anja Trbeznik (LIP) 7-5, 7-6
4. Slezakova (MSU) def. Liza Diachenko (LIP) 1-6, 7-5, 6-3
5. Maddox Brandy (LIP) def. Kreugel (MSU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
6. Eleanor Chapman (LIP) def. Lont (MSU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
Doubles:
1. Pschorr/ Sharapova (MSU) def. Popova/ Trbeznik (LIP) 6-4
2. Geolier/ Slezakova (MSU) def. Diachenko/ Dobranos (LIP) 6-3
3. Kreugel/ Bureau (MSU) vs. Brandy/ Chapman (LIP) Unfinished
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics