VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Lee University women's tennis team started its spring break trip with a stop at The VSU Tennis Courts for a Gulf South Conference battle with Valdosta State. The Lady Blazers (5-1, 2-0 GSC) came away with a 7-2 defeat of the visiting Flames (4-2, 1-2 GSC).
The hosts were winners in 2-of-3 doubles matches. Carley Sickinger and Joanna Grzegrzolka earned the lone doubles win with an 8-5 advantage over Daniella Barta and Hera Brynjarsdottir at No. 2 doubles.
Laura Beth Hardesty took down Anke Poncelet, 6-3 and 6-0, at No. 5 singles to even the team score at 2-2. The Lady Blazers won the final five singles matches to secure the team win and set the final 7-2 margin.
"Our ladies really fought hard today," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "We tried out some new pairs in doubles and they did great together. Carley and Asia were very good. I was glad to see LB win today. She's been putting a lot of work into her game and everything clicked into place today. Our energy was good all day. We've got some good matches coming up in Orlando, so we'll prepare for those now."
John Carroll University will be the Lady Flames' first opponent while in Orlando. The two squads will collide on Monday with Lee returning to action on Tuesday against Missouri Western State University. Following a day off, the Lady Flames are scheduled to complete their week against St. Cloud State University on Thursday.
VALDOSTA STATE 7, LEE UNIVERSITY 2
Singles competition
1. Sabrina Schmidt (VSUWT) def. Francesca Tondi (LEE-W) 6-2, 6-1
2. Estee Widdershoven (VSUWT) def. Marta Garcia-Nieto (LEE-W) 6-4, 6-3
3. Daniella Barta (VSUWT) def. Carley Sickinger (LEE-W) 7-6 (10-4), 6-1
4. Hera Brynjarsdottir (VSUWT) def. Joanna Grzegrzolka (LEE-W) 6-2, 7-5
5. Laura Beth Hardesty (LEE-W) def. Anke Poncelet (VSUWT) 6-3, 6-0
6. Taylor Vinge (VSUWT) def. Nicole Shennett (LEE-W) 7-5, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Sabrina Schmidt/Estee Widdershoven (VSUWT) def. Francesca Tondi/Marta Garcia-Nieto (LEE-W) 8-3
2. Carley Sickinger/Joanna Grzegrzolka (LEE-W) def. Daniella Barta/Hera Brynjarsdottir (VSUWT) 8-5
3. Anke Poncelet/Taylor Vinge (VSUWT) def. Laura Beth Hardesty/Nicole Shennett (LEE-W) 8-6
