Women's Tennis Brings Salukis to Heel

Friday, January 30

Louisville, Ky.

10:00 AM

University of Louisville

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

January 30, 2004 | Women's Tennis

Jan. 30, 2004

The University of Louisville women's tennis team swept the doubles point and won all but one singles match to beat visiting Southern Illinois 6-1 in collegiate tennis action Friday morning at Bass Rudd Tennis Center.

"Southern Illinois is a much improved team over last year," said Greg Davis, U of L head coach. "We came out a bit flat in doubles but we picked it up in our performance in singles with some strong individual performances."

The No. 1 doubles team of Leslie Stewart and Michele Spiess battled Alejandra Blanco and Tana Trapani to an 8-6 win. Kelly Taylor and Natalie Laszkowski had an easier time with Maria Blanco and Jessica Knitter at No. 2 doubles, winning 8-4. Freshman Christina Gogol and her senior partner Paige Eber, dispatched Zuzana Palovic and Zoya Honarmand 8-3.

The middle lineup in singles had a challenge on their hands with Gogol's match going three sets at No .3 before she won 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

"Christina Gogol had a strong match in singles and battled back to win in three," said Davis.

Taylor won the first set 6-4, dropped the second 6-2 and then cruised to a 10-3 win at No. 4 over Trapani. Spiess had little trouble at No. 2, beating Maria Blanco 6-3, 6-3. Julia Hierl and Laszkowski won at No. 5 and No. 6 respectively.

"I thought Spiess played very well at No. 2," said Davis. "We are trying to get some momentum going after a disappointing loss to Kentucky and Alabama. This weekend matches are very important to the rest of our season as we want to start strong and build."

Alejandra Blanco def. Leslie Stewart (L) 3-4, def.Michele Spiess (L) def. Maria Blanco 6-3, 6-3Christina Gogol (L) def. Jessica Knitter 6-2, 3-6, 6-2Kelly Taylor (L) def. Tana Trapani 6-4, 4-6, 10-3Julia Hierl (L) def. Zoya Honarmand 6-3, 6-0Natalie Laszkowski (L) def. Zuzana Palovic 6-1, 6-2
Stewart/Spiess (L) def A. Blanco/Trapani 8-6Taylor/Laszkowski (L) def. M. Blanco/Knitter 8-4Gogol/Eber (L) def. Palovic/Honarmand 8-3