SAU Tennis Drops 8-1 Match to Arkansas Tech

By: Houston Taylor

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Playing at home for the first time this season didn’t help the Southern Arkansas tennis team as they dropped an 8-1 match to Arkansas Tech in Gulf South Conference play Thursday at the SAU tennis complex. It was the Golden Suns’ second 8-1 decision over the Lady Muleriders this spring.

Senior Caitlin Korensek (Ennis, Texas) gave Southern Arkansas (0-7-1, 0-3 GSC) its lone win at No. 1 singles in claiming a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Brittany Turner. Senior Megan Phinny (Gladewater, Texas) made a run at No. 2 singles, but came up short in a 3-6, 4-6 loss to Michelle Yu.

Tech (7-3, 2-1 GSC) also swept No. 3-6 singles, with Saki Matsuoka and Emorie Mallow tossing 6-0, 6-0 shutouts at freshmen Leslie Miller (Texarkana, Texas) and Felicia Carroll (Maud, Texas), respectively, at No. 3 and 4; Jessica Velasquez handed freshman Elizabeth Colvin (Magnolia) a 6-2, 6-1 setback at No. 5; and Jessica James shutout freshman Caroline Colvin (Magnolia) 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6.

The Golden Suns took all three doubles matches, with Turner/Matsuoka defeating Korensek/Phinny 8-3 at No. 1, and getting 8-0 shutouts at No. 2 and 3.

The Lady Muleriders are off until March 29 and 30 when they will host Harding and Henderson State in league matches. They play Harding that Monday at 3 p.m. and face Henderson State on that Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Arkansas Tech vs. Southern Arkansas
Location: Magnolia, Ark., SAU Tennis Complex

Doubles
1. Turner/Matsuoka (ATU) def. Korensek/Phinny (SAU) 3-8
2. Mallow/Velasquez (ATU) def. Carroll/Miller (SAU) 0-8
3. James/Greenway (ATU) def. Colvin/Colvin (SAU) 0-8

Singles
1. Caitlin Korensek (SAU) def. Brittany Turner (ATU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Michelle Yu (ATU) def. Megan Phinny (SAU) 3-6, 4-6
3. Saki Matsuoka (ATU) def. Leslie Miller (SAU) 0-6, 0-6
4. Emorie Mallow (ATU) def. Felicia Carroll (SAU) 0-6, 0-6
5. Jessica Velasquez (ATU) def. Elizabeth Colvin (SAU) 2-6, 1-6
6. Jessica James (ATU) def. Caroline Colvin (SAU) 0-6, 0-6

Final Score: ATU – 8 SAU – 1

Season Record (W-L): ATU (7-3, 2-1 GSC); SAU (0-7-1, 0-3 GSC)