USM (4-0) came into the match with three matches already under their belt, while the Lady Hornets were hitting the courts for their first competitive tennis match of the season.
 
"It was a very good effort for our first match and we played really, really hard against a very good team," Head Coach Anuk Christiansz said.  "We have to stay healthy and we had some girls step up and play hard through some nagging injuries, but I was happy with the way they competed."
 
"Southern Miss is an established program and showed why they are undefeated.  It was a good test for us to start out the season and we need to build on this effort in tomorrow's match."
 
In doubles action Southern Miss was able to win the point with a 6-1 win at one doubles and a 6-2 win at three doubles.  The Lady Hornets (0-1) returning All-SWAC doubles team of Brankica Orlovic and Irina Cvjovic won their match at two doubles 6-2.
 
USM won all six of the singles matches, but the best game of the match came out four singles where Cvijovic was able to stave off match point in the second set, sending it to a third, but could not keep the momentum in falling 10-7 in a super tie break third set.
 
The Lady Hornets will continue their opening weekend of action tomorrow (Sunday) when Presbyterian College from Clinton, S.C. will come to Montgomery.  The match is slated to begin at noon.
 
2016 ASU Women's Tennis
Southern Mississippi vs Alabama State University (Jan 30, 2016)
Southern Mississippi 7, Alabama State University 0
Jan 30, 2016 at Montgomery, Ala. (Olean Black Underwood Tennis Complex)

Singles competition

1. Carolin Drescher (USMW) def. Arantxia Wijingaarde (ASUW) 6-1, 6-1

2. Alex Kitchen (USMW) def. Marine Cartier (ASUW) 6-2, 6-4

3. Tjasa Jerse (USMW) def. Gabriela Lackova (ASUW) 6-2, 6-0

4. Rikeetha Pereira (USMW) def. Irina Cvijovic (ASUW) 6-4, 6-7 (6), 10-7

5. Elena Roca (USMW) def. Brankica Orlovic (ASUW) 6-1, 6-3

6. Claudia Castella (USMW) def. Nicole Tekelova (ASUW) 6-2, 6-3

 

Doubles competition

1. Carolin Drescher/Alex Kitchen (USMW) def. Arantxia Wijingaarde/Marine Cartier (ASUW) 6-1

2. Irina Cvijovic/Brankica Orlovic (ASUW) def. Rikeetha Pereira/Claudia Castella (USMW) 6-2

3. Elena Roca/Tjasa Jerse (USMW) def. Gabriela Lackova/Nicole Tekelova (ASUW) 6-2

 

Match Notes

Southern Mississippi 4-0

Alabama State University 0-1

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,3,5,6,2,4)

T-2:30 A-25