Women's Tennis Edged by Alabama

Friday, January 23

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

5:00 PM

University of Louisville

Alabama

January 24, 2004 | Women's Tennis

Jan. 24, 2004

The University of Louisville women's tennis team was edged by the University of Alabama 4-3 late Friday night in Tuscaloosa. The Cardinals even their record at 2-2.The Tide stand at 1-0 after their first match.

The Tide threatened early during doubles, winning the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches with identical 8-1 scores. The No. 3 doubles match was suspended at 3-2 when Alabama clinched the doubles point.

Freshman Michele Spiess continued her winning ways with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Nathalie Koppelle at No. 2 singles. Fellow freshman Julia Hierl outlasted Mari Muller at No. 5 winning 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 for the second U of L point. When Alabama's Natalie McElveen pulled up with an injury at No. 6 singles giving the point to the Cardinals, it came down the No. 4 singles match between U of L's Christina Gogol and Melissa Minor in a three set battle. Minor won the first set easily at 6-0, before dropping the second set, 6-2. Minor lost serve in the first game of the third, but rallied to win six of the last eight games to give the match-winning point to the Tide.

Alabama 4, Louisville 3

Doubles

1. Robin Stephenson/Ashley Bentley (UA) d. Michele Spiess/Leslie Stewart (UL) 8-1

2. Nathalie Kopelle/Melissa Minor (UA) d. Kelly Taylor/Julia Hierl (UL) 8-1

3. Natalie McElveen/Mari Muller (UA) vs. Christina Gogul/Paige Eber (UL) 3-2 susp.

Singles:

1. Robin Stephenson (UA) d. Leslie Stewart (UL) 6-1, 6-1

2. Michele Spiess (UL) d Nathalie Koppelle (UA) 6-4, 6-1

3. Ashley Bentley (UA) d. Kelly Taylor (UL) 6-3, 6-3

4. Melissa Minor (UA) d. Christina Gogol (UL) 6-0, 2-6, 6-3

5. Julia Hierl (UL) d. Mari Muller (UA) vs. 7-6 (7-5), 6-3

6. Natalie Laszkowski (UL) d. Natalie McElveen (UA) def. Inj.