Gardner-Webb Women's Tennis Falls at Charleston Southern, 6-1, on the Road Monday
March 12, 2013 | Women's Tennis
Charleston, S.C. - Gardner-Webb women's tennis team took to the road for the first of four matches this week, playing a road match at fellow Big South member Charleston Southern. The Runnin' Bulldogs were unable to shake off a slow start and fell victim to a tough Buccaneers team, 6-1, on Monday evening.
The loss moves the Runnin' Bulldogs to 2-6 on the year, as well as 0-2 in Big South play this season.
GWU lost its second straight, in part, due to a slow start in doubles play. Playing a man down, the Runnin' Bulldogs needed to prevail at both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles in order to win the opening point and take control of the match early.
It was the Buccaneers who jumped on top, taking both the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles points, as well as a forfeit win at the No. 3 slot, to take a 1-0 lead in the overall match.
A forfeit win at No. 6 singles granted the Bucs a 2-0 lead over the Runnin' Bulldogs, who also got a quick win at No. 2 singles to take a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Gardner-Webb junior Jenny Lunde (Oslo, Norway) got the Runnin' Bulldogs on the board with a win at No. 3 singles. Lunde, who has battled a hand injury for much of the season, prevailed against the Bucs' Angelica Sidorenko by a 6-2, 6-1 margin to improve to 2-2 in singles play on the year.
The Bucs grabbed wins at No.'s 1 and 4 singles to clinch the match. At No. 5 singles, freshman Rokia Sacko (Montreal, Canada) shot out to a one set lead against Alia Nour, only to see the Buccaneer No. 5 player storm back for a 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 win to round out Monday's scoring.
The Runnin' Bulldogs' women's tennis team return home on Wednesday, March 13 in a non-conference bout with Appalachian State. Wednesday's match is slated for a 12:00 p.m. start time.
