RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Without a cloud in the sky and the sun shining brightly on a picturesque early spring day in Russellville, the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns tennis team did something not previously done in program history, and that's beat Drury, a program that has advanced to 10 Sweet 16's since 2006.
The Golden Suns (8-3) got their landmark victory against one of the perennial powers in DII women's tennis off to a great start as they claimed the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles after dropping the first completed doubles match at No. 3 doubles. Both pairings of
Michelle Khoo/
Aastha Dargude (No. 1) and Lea Ginberg/
Daniela Baez (No. 2) won their matches 6-3.
In singles play, Drury was quick to knot the match at a point apiece after a 6-0, 6-3 win at No. 5 singles. Baez then won swiftly at No. 4 singles, 6-2, 6-0 to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Khoo at the top-flight was not far behind with a 6-4, 6-0 win to make it a 3-1 advantage for the Golden Suns. A hard-fought battle at No. 2 singles went the way of Drury 6-3, 6-4 and kept the match alive for the Panthers (6-2)
The match was then clinched for the Golden Suns at No. 3 singles as Dargude emerged victorious 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. The match would play out to competition and Drury picked up a win at No. 6 singles to bring the match to its final tally of 4-3.
The Golden Suns will now prepare for their final home match of the year on Monday, April 5 against Southern Arkansas. First-serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Arkansas Tech 4, Drury 3
DOUBLES COMPETITION (3,2,1)
- Michelle Khoo/Aastha Dargude (ATU) def. Alma Abazi/Natasia Jedrychowski (DU) 6-3
- Lea Grinberg/Daniela Baez (ATU) def. Kseniia Eremina/Viktoriya Zheleva (DU) 6-3
- Clara Kuehnle/Maria De La Torre (DU) def. Megan Bell/Isabella Major (ATU) 6-2
SINGLES COMPETITION (5,4,1,2,3,6)
- Michelle Khoo (ATU) def. Natasia Jedrychowski (DU) 6-4, 6-0
- Alma Abazi (DU) def. Lea Grinberg (ATU) 6-3, 6-4
- Aastha Dargude (ATU) def. Viktoriya Zheleva (DU) 7-5, 2-6, 6-1
- Daniela Baez (ATU) def. Kseniia Eremina (DU) 6-2, 6-0
- Clara Kuehnle (DU) def. Megan Bell (ATU) 6-0, 6-3
- Maria De La Torre (DU) def. Isabella Major (ATU) 6-0, 4-6, 6-3