APSU came out with mixed results in their tennis match against Eastern Illinois at the Wabash Valley Tennis Club in Terre Haute, Indiana, on Sunday, March 24. The APSU men won all four matches they played before the event was cut short due to inclement weather. APSU’s women won just two of their six games.
The men swept through their meet, handily winning all of their completed matches.
APSU Coach Ross Brown indicated that the weather-induced move to the indoor courts was not to the Lady Govs’ advantage, as the team plays better in outside matches.
Despite the split Brown feels that both teams played hard and he sees the men’s team moving towards the top of the OVC; he complimented their mental toughness.
Brown feels the team has faced a lot of quality opponents this season and sees the players working hard and getting better. Sophomore Vanessa Tavares fended off EIU’s Jennifer Kim in both sets, winning 6-4 and 6-1.
“Vanessa’s playing better than last year,” Brown said. According to Brown, the team has struggled to adjust to the loss of Vanja Tomic, their number one player last year, who graduated.
The women played hard and Brown thinks that the players will improve as the season progresses.
Ornella DiSalvo came back from a 1-6 loss to win her next two sets 6-3 and 6-4. Alison Carre, Sephora Boulbahaiem and Mary Theresa Kubek fell to their EIU opponents.
“Both teams are great,” Brown said. “I feel confident every time that they will compete hard and they don’t give anything away.”