Tulane University
Xavier (La.)
Tulane Sweeps Intra-City Doubleheader
Jan 31, 2015 | Women's Tennis
Printable UNO Box | Printable Xavier Box
NEW ORLEANS - After proving that they can come from behind, not once, but twice, in the opening weekend of the 2015 dual season, the Tulane women's tennis team checked another accomplishment off their early bucket list, claiming both victories in Saturday's doubleheader. The Green Wave started their day at the City Park Pepsi Tennis Center with a 4-0 win over UNO, then followed that with a 6-1 victory over Xavier (La.). As a result, the Wave are 5-0 on the year, marking their best start since the 2012 season.
"Proud of the resilience of my team today," Tulane head coach Terri Sisk said. "Playing a doubleheader while battling a few injuries and then being able to move the players up a couple of spots to get some exposure can be tough on a young team, but I thought they handled the pressure well."
In the morning match vs UNO, Tulane jumped out to a 1-0 lead after claiming the doubles point with wins at the No. 2 and 3 positions. The combos of Sade Atkinson/Naz Karagoz and Ipek Birol/Jacqui Katz each earned 6-2 wins as Vanessa Nommensen/Nicky Stracar were right behind at No. 1 doubles, as their match went unfinished at 5-2.
Next, the trio of Katz, Karagoz and Birol swiftly closed out the match in singles, surrendering just a combined eight games. Katz defeated Yasmine Rashad 6-0, 6-1 at No. 5, followed by Karagoz's 6-0, 6-2 win over Marta Sans at No. 3. Birol then clinched the Wave's first shutout via a 6-4, 6-1 win over Anja Luethi at No. 2.
In the afternoon match vs Xavier, the duo of Birol/Katz struck again in doubles, downing Brion Flowers and Sha'Nel Bruins 6-1. Then Emily Dvorak saw her first action of 2015, clinching the doubles point along with Nommensen via a 6-4 win over Jana van der Walt and Brandi Nelson.
The dominant singles play continued vs Xavier as well as no Gold Nugget in the two through six positions scored above two games in a set. Nommensen (6-0, 6-0), Katz (6-1, 6-1), Meredith Maltby (6-1, 6-2), Atkinson (6-0, 6-1) and Klier (6-0, 6-1) all earned victories in the match, with the latter two picking up their first dual wins in a Green Wave uniform.
"Days like today are more mental than anything and yet again this team handled the task. We are going to take a couple of days off and let our bodies heal and then get back to preparation for our tough doubleheader next weekend," Sisk added.
Up next, the Green Wave will conclude its five match home stand when they try to tackle one more doubleheader next Sunday, on Feb. 8. First, they'll host McNeese State at 9 a.m. CT, followed by Southern Miss at 2 p.m.
Green Wave Results
Vs. UNO
Doubles
No. 1 - Nommensen/Stracar (TU) vs. Arroyo/Sans (UNO), 5-2, unfinished
No. 2 - Atkinson/Karagoz (TU) def. Luethi/Rius (UNO), 6-2
No. 3 - Birol/Katz (TU) def. Rashad/Laraibi (UNO), 6-2
Singles
No. 1 - Nicky Stracar (TU) vs. Soledad Arroyo (UNO), 4-6, 5-2, unfinished
No. 2 - Ipek Birol (TU) def. Anja Luethi (UNO), 6-4, 6-1
No. 3 - Naz Karagoz (TU) def. Marta Sans (UNO), 6-0, 6-2
No. 4 - Vanessa Nommensen (TU) vs. Anna Segarra Rius (UNO), 6-4, 3-4, unfinished
No. 5 - Jacqui Katz (TU) def. Yasmine Rashad (UNO), 6-0, 6-1
No. 6 - Sade Atkinson (TU) vs. Hafsa Laraibi (UNO), 4-6, 4-3, unfinished
Vs. Xavier
Doubles
No. 1 - Karagoz/Atkinson (TU) vs. Abbes/C. Nelson (XU), unfinished
No. 2 - Birol/Katz (TU) def. Flowers/Bruins (XU), 6-1
No. 3 - Nommensen/Dvorak (TU) def. van der Walt/B. Nelson (XU), 6-4
Singles
No. 1 - Nour Abbes (XU) def. Naz Karagoz (TU), 6-0, 6-2
No. 2 - Vanessa Nommensen (TU) def. Carmen Nelson (XU), 6-0, 6-0
No. 3 - Jacqui Katz (TU) def. Brion Flowers (XU), 6-1, 6-1
No. 4 - Sade Atkinson (TU) def. Jana van der Walt (XU), 6-0, 6-1
No. 5 - Meredith Maltby (TU) def. Sha'Nel Bruins (XU), 6-1, 6-2
No. 6 - Kyla Klier (TU) def. Brandi Nelson (XU), 6-0, 6-1
Players Mentioned
