Liberty University
Charleston Southern
Lady Flames Run Winning Streak to Six
3/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
The Liberty Lady Flames tennis squad extended its winning streak to a season-high six matches on Saturday after downing conference foe Charleston Southern by a score of 4-3 in Lynchburg, Va. With the victory, Liberty improved to 13-2 overall and 3-0 in the conference while Charleston Southern falls to 10-2 and 4-1 in Big South play.
The Buccaneers swept through doubles play, 3-0, to take the early 1-0 advantage over the Lady Flames. Liberty did not go quietly in doubles, forcing Charleston Southern to play deep into two of the three sets.
After taking the early lead, the Buccaneers' Marketa Placha extended the lead to 2-0 by taking down Mariely Hassey in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
Despite falling behind 2-0, the Lady Flames did not give up as they surged to four straight singles victories to capture the third conference win for the red and blue. Maria Khval began the scoring for Liberty when she dropped Angelica Sidorenko, 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-2 from the No. 3 singles slot.
Belen Rivera evened the match at two apiece when the Bolivian native bested Yvonne Hubler. Rivera's match was pushed into a third set as she cruised past Hubler in the final set, winning 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 from the No. 3 singles position.
Senior Brittany Yang continued the red hot play for the Lady Flames from the No. 5 singles slot. Yang fell in the first set, 6-2, rebounding in the next two sets to turn the odds in Liberty's favor. The Georgia native won the second and third sets, 7-5, to take the 3-2 lead for the Lady Flames.
Freshman standout Evangeline Crist sealed the deal for Liberty from the No. 4 singles position. Crist notched a first set victory by a score of 7-5 before falling in the second set, 7-6. The Lilburn, Ga., native then captured the win for the red and blue as she downed Nicolin Lueke in the third set, 6-3.
With the match already in hand, the Buccaneers came out victors in the final singles position but the effort was not enough as the Lady Flames had already clinched the match, 4-3.
"The girls showed themselves what they are capable of today," commented head coach Jeff Maren. "Charleston Southern is an outstanding team and has earned the right to be considered one of the best in our conference for many years now. So to overcome this team in such tight matches in both doubles and singles was a testament to their improved mental strength and belief. God has blessed this team with gifts and potential, and the girls are enjoying the journey that He has placed us on."
Liberty returns to action Monday when they travel to Buies Creek, N.C. to take on Campbell at 1:30 p.m.
Liberty 4, Charleston Southern 3
Doubles
- Sidorenko/Cooper (CSU) def. Khval/Yang (LU), 8-7 (7-2)
- Luecke/Hubler (CSU) def. Thong/Crist (LU), 8-6
- Placha/Cloessner (CSU) def. Hassey/Groeneveld (LU), 8-3
Singles
- Placha (CSU) def. Hassey (LU), 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
- Rivera (LU) def. Hubler (CSU), 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
- Khval (LU) def. Sidorenko (CSU), 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2
- Crist (LU) def. Luecke (CSU), 7-5, 6-7, 6-3
- Yang (LU) def. Cooper (CSU), 2-6, 7-5, 7-5
- Cloessner (CSU) def. Groeneveld (LU), 1-6, 7-5, 7-5
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1,2
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
1,3,2,5,4,6