The Lee University women's tennis team posted its fifth-straight win with a 4-3 come-from-behind Gulf South Conference victory against The University of Alabama in Huntsville Saturday afternoon at the DeVos Tennis Center.
"Just a very gutsy win for our girls," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "We had some adversity to deal with today and they found ways to pull each other through."
Lee held a ceremony prior to the match to honor each of its three senior members (Asia Grzegrzolka, Laura Beth Hardesty and Francesca Tondi).
"I'm just happy that we were able to get a win on senior day. These three girls have been huge for our program and it's nice to honor them with such a fighting win," added Hynes.
The Lady Flames (13-3, 4-2 GSC) grabbed an early lead after winning two of the three doubles matches. Lisa Kirr and Lauren Trammell blanked Marilene van Beek and Rinata Bauzhanova at No 2 doubles. Grzegrzolka and Micaela Belen Maiz earned the team point with a 6-2 defeat of Stefanie Mehlich and Karolin Kirchtag.
"Our doubles play was excellent today at No. 1 and 2. Lisa and Hadley (Trammell) were faultless and that's as good as I've seen Asia and Mica play together. That was a decisive point in our match today," said Hynes.
UAH (6-9, 1-5 GSC) avoided the doubles sweep when Presley Thomas and Sarah Stearman won at No. 3 doubles over Sierra Donaldson and Hardesty.
Belen Maiz made quick work of Bauzhanova 6-0 and 6-0 to push Lee's lead to 2-0. UAH received wins by Kirchtag at the fifth spot and Thomas at No. 4 singles to even the team score. Mehlich gave the Chargers their first lead with a 6-3, 6-3 win against Grzegrzolka.
Kirr posted 6-3 and 6-2 set scores to tie the match at 3-3, leaving the No. 6 singles match as the clinching point. Hardesty and van Beek battled into three sets with van Beek earning a 6-4 advantage in the first set and Hardesty forcing a third set with a 6-1 margin in the second. Hardesty continued the momentum from the second set to secure a 6-2 third-set win and set off the Lee celebration.
"To have 'LB' come back from a set down in the deciding match is just a great story. I'm so proud of her. She's been such a valuable player and person for this program and she fully deserved her moment today," praised Hynes.
The Lady Flames return to action on Tuesday with a trip to Carrollton, Ga., to face West Georgia. The GSC contest is scheduled for a 2 p.m. EDT start.
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