The East Tennessee State women’s tennis team (5-2) had a tough weekend with three matches on Sunday at the Memorial Center.
ETSU faced Liberty in the first round of play, winning 4-3. The singles matches consisted of Courtney McInnis defeating Jonita Randolph 7-6, 6-0; Stacey Housley defeating Jessica Irey 6-2, 6-1; Gemma Halim defeating Andreea Cotuna 6-0, 6-1; and Mariya Ilyina defeating Nichole Duncan 6-0, 6-2.
Liberty swept all three doubles matches against the Lady Bucs.
“The match this morning was a lot tighter than they thought it would be,” Coach Steve Brooks said.
ETSU got a break while Carson Newman matched up against Liberty, then at 4:30, the Lady Bucs were back in action against Carson Newman.
The Lady Bucs served the Eagles a 6-1 loss.
In doubles play, the ETSU women dominated all three matches.
Ziolkowska and Ilyina defeated Danielle Wilson and Erika Bellettini 8-2.
Irey and Halim defeated Tessa Caprio and Kristi Kirkland 8-1, while McInnis and Aimee Villavicencio defeated Olga Petrovic and Genny Kirkland 8-1.
The singles matches consisted of Ziolkowska defeating Bellettini 6-3, 6-0; Ilyina defeating Wilson 6-1, 6-0; and Halim defeating Caprio 6-0, 6-0.
“We played well, it’s early in the season, but the team is coming together,” senior Courtney McInnis said.
The last match of the evening was against Milligan.
The Lady Bucs also took control of both the singles and doubles matches. All three doubles matches were dominated by ETSU.
In singles play, Irey defeated Cheri Lomison 6-0, 6-0; Ilyina defeated Amber Campbell 6-1, 6-0; Tatiana Arriaran defeated Jessica Conn 6-1, 6-0; and Villavicencio defeated Sara Willingford 6-0, 6-0.
“Overall, I am happy we won all of our matches. Happy there were no injuries,” Brooks said. “They’re tired, which is good. We will see what kind of shape the girls are in tomorrow and the next week.”
The Lady Bucs will be back in action this weekend in Richmond, Ky.
On Feb. 13, ETSU will take on Wright State University at 4:30 p.m.
Then Feb. 14, the Lady Bucs will face off against Eastern Kentucky University at 8:00 a.m. followed by Southern Illinois University at 4:00 p.m.

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