RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech women's tennis team picked up a big in-region win on Friday as they beat previously unbeaten Missouri Western at home by a score of 4-3.
The match was originally scheduled to be played at 1 p.m. on Friday, but the forecasted winter storm that was scheduled to roll through starting at that time prompted a move of the match time up to 11 a.m. That decision proved to be a great call as the match wrapped up just as the precipitation began to fall.
Another change to the match format aimed at beating the weather was starting with singles play first rather than doubles.
In singles action, Missouri Western jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles. Tech then got on the board at No. 4 singles with
Madalena Silva's 6-1, 6-3 victory. The next match to finish came at No. 2 singles and saw the Griffons (6-1) grab the point to take a 3-1 lead.
The Golden Suns (3-5) rallied in the final two singles matches and claimed victories to knot the team match at 3-all.
Daniela Baez at No. 3 singles was the first of those final two wins to come to completion as she won her match 6-3, 6-0.
Lea Grinberg, the current GAC Women's Tennis Player of the Week remained on a roll as she grinded out a win at No. 1 singles 6-4, 6-3.
With the match tied through singles play, the doubles point would decide the overall outcome.
Once more, the Griffons took an early advantage winning No. 3 doubles 6-2, but that all-important second doubles win would not come for Missouri Western as the Golden Suns handled the matches at No. 1 and No. 2 by scores of 6-2 for each match. The No. 1 doubles team paired Grinberg and Baez while the decisive No. 2 doubles pairing featured Silva and
Aastha Dargude.
The Golden Suns will now prepare for their next match this coming Tuesday afternoon at home against Northeastern State. First-serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. out at the Chartwells Women's Sports Complex.
