Coming into its game against Samford April 3, the ETSU women’s tennis team had a record of 16-1, one win shy of the most for the team since 2010.
In the No. 1 position, senior Lyn Yee Choo (Kuching, Malaysia) was able to win her singles match in two sets, 6-2 and 6-3. Choo is now 13-3 on the season.
“I am very proud of the team today,” said coach Travis Sandlant.
At the No. 2 position, senior Regina Nychytailova (Maripol, Ukraine) wasn’t able to battle back and win her match, winning one of the three sets. Ioanna Markesini (Athens, Greece) was able to pick up her 13th win of the season, showing good growth in her sophomore season.
Freshman Marina Espana (Castellar Del Valles, Spain) was able to keep up her 15-match winning streak. She is currently 15-0 and won both her sets, 6-3 and 6-4. Espana’s 15 wins is the most in the Southern Conference right now.
Melissa Esguerra (Derrimutt, Australia) dominated in her match to improve her singles record to 12-1, winning both sets 6-2 and 6-0. Senior Ana Gerbasi (Caracas, Venezuela) was able to pick up her 11th straight victory, winning both sets 6-2 and 6-0.
The Bucs were able to collect wins in all three of their doubles matches. Lyn Yee Choo and Ana Gerbasi were able to dominate in the No. 1 position, winning the single set 6-1. The pair are 10-5 together in doubles matches, with only one loss in the SoCon.
Ioanna Markesini and Marina Espana were also able to win their doubles match, winning both sets 7-6 and 8-6. The pair have performed well together this season with a record of 13-2, and they have won eight of their last 10 matches together. They are also on a five-match win streak and have yet to lose in the SoCon.
Melissa Esguerra and Regina Nychytailova won their doubles match in a single set of 6-3. As a pair, they are 8-2 on the season, with only one lost in the SoCon.
With the win over Samford, the Bucs are currently 5-0 in the SoCon. They currently hold a two-game lead in the SoCon standings.
“We can be very pleased with this performance,” Sandlant said. “Samford has a good team, and we expect to see them again at the conference tournament in a few weeks.”
As a team, the Bucs have won 80 percent of their singles matches and 82 percent of their doubles matches. They have already exceeded the record from last season, when they finished 15-6 on the season.
The Bucs are weeks away from the start of the SoCon Tournament, and Sandlant will look for them to make small improvements as it draws near.
