RESULTS
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Sophomore Briar Preston won her 14th consecutive singles match, but the Morehead State women's tennis squad dropped a 5-2 decision at Marshall Tuesday.
Marshall claimed the win in its spring season opener, while the Eagles slipped to 1-2.
Preston, who is 10-0 in singles match during the fall and spring seasons this year, claimed a 6-1, 7-6 decision over Dana Oppinger at No. 1. Preston has won nine of her 10 singles contests in straight sets, and it marked her 16th win in her last 17 solo matches since the mid point of the 2012-13 campaign.
"She really played a flawless first set but was down 5-2 in the second set and won six straight games," Head Coach Kevin Fulton said. "I felt we played with a lot of intensity all around today. We played with just five, and I commend the efforts of all of them."
Freshman Andrea Leblanc secured the Eagles' second point by defeating Derya Turhan, 7-6, 6-2 on court two. She also teamed with freshman Hayley Wild to claim a 7-6 doubles win over Kai Broomfield and Rachael Morales at No. 2.
"Andrea and Hayley played a super doubles match and really set the tone," Fulton added. "Andrea was able to defeat a very good player in straight sets. Our schedule is very tough, but I know these matches will help us become a stronger team overall."
The host Thundering Herd jumped to a 1-0 lead with doubles wins on courts one and three. Oppinger and Turhan knocked off Preston and sophomore Sandrine Beaule, 6-2 at No. 1. The Eagles defaulted on court three.
In singles, sophomore Dominique-Chante Mclean fell 6-4, 6-1 to Kai Broomfield at No. 3. On court four, Anna Pomyatinskaya handled Beaule, 6-1, 6-3. Karli Timko defeated Wild, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 5. Marshall notched a default win in the six spot.
Morehead State returns to action on Saturday at Pittsburgh. Match time is set for 2 p.m. ET.
