RICHMOND, Ky. – The Morehead State women’s tennis team notched a 4-3 victory over OVC rival Eastern Kentucky, Tuesday afternoon at Higgins Tennis Courts. MSU freshman Brooke Helms won the decisive match at number six singles to keep the Eagles in first place in the OVC standings. MSU is now 8-10 overall and 5-0 in OVC play.
MSU was able to take an early match lead 1-0 after winning two of three in doubles play. At number one Madeleinne Antero and Lauren Delaney won 8-6 over the Colonel pair of Faure and Hamel. At number two Alexandra Rydberg and Alix Young were victorious 8-1 and in the three spot Kayla Tuscany and Helms fell 8-2.
The very exciting match went back and forth during singles play coming down to the sixth position where Helms was triumphant over Catarina Branco 7-6, 2-6, 7-6(0). The Eagles were also able to get wins at two and four. At number two Rydberg won 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 and at number four Antero beat Pagal 6-0, 6-1. Young couldn’t overcome Mhirit 6-2, 6-4 at number one and at number three Tuscany was beat by Faure 6-3, 6-3. In the fifth spot Delaney came up short of Hamel 6-3, 6-1.
"I was very proud of the girls today, Madeleinne, Lauren, Alexandra, Brooke, and Alix Young really did a fantastic job," said MUS coach Kevin Fulton. "When the match came down to Alexandra and Brooke in their third sets respectfully, I knew we had it. I have so much faith in these girls. For all the close matches we had last year the experience is really helping us close out matches."
The Eagles will now travel to Martin, Tenn., to take on the University of Tennessee Martin on April 2, first serve is at 3:00 p.m.
Singles
1. Myriem Mhirit (EKU) def. Alix Young (MOR) 6-2, 6-4
2. Alexandra Rydberg (MOR) def. Jessica Albuquerque (EKU) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
3. Anouk Faure (EKU) def. Kayla Tuscany (MOR) 6-3, 6-3
4. Madeleinne Antero (MOR) def. Alyze Pagal (EKU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Anais Hamel (EKU) def. Lauren Delaney (MOR) 6-3, 6-1
6. Brooke Helms (MOR) def. Catarina Branco (EKU) 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 (0)
Doubles
1. Antero/Delaney (MOR) def. Faure/Hamel (EKU) 8-6
2. Rydberg/Young (MOR) def. Albuquerque/Pagal (EKU) 8-1
3. Branco/Mhirit (EKU) def. Helms/Tuscany (MOR) 8-2
