You can't always draw up a perfect Senior Day but for Carley Sickinger and the Lee women's tennis team Friday's victory against Delta State was a fitting end to her home playing career.
In front of friends and family at the DeVos Tennis Center the Miamisburg, Ohio native rallied from a set down to earn the match-clinching point for the Lady Flames in their 4-3 win over the Lady Statesmen on a sunny but cool early spring afternoon.
Sickinger lost the first set to Sofia Pepe 6-3 but bounced back to take set two 6-3 before rolling to a 6-1 win in the third. She would also team with Sierra Donaldson to cruise to a 6-1 doubles victory over Manuela Impeciati and Sophie St. Amant.
"I struggled at the beginning but after that I took it into my own hands and didn't want to lose on senior day," said Sickinger. "It's been so great to be apart of this program. The girls are wonderful and I've made some lifelong friends and I will forever be grateful for that."
Lisa Kirr and Matina Ujdur won 6-1 at No. 1 doubles against Valentine Colin and Katheryne Perez to give the Lady Flames the early 1-0 advantage. Micaela Belen Maiz and Larissa Wieser lost at No. 2 doubles, 6-1 to Pepe and Sofia Colvee.
Belen Maiz got the Lady Flames off on the right foot in singles with a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 2 over Alena Macharova. Impeciati of Delta State would get the Lady Statesmen their first point at No. 3 singles with a 6-7, 7-5, 6-2 three-set win over Ujdur. Lisa Kirr got the victory at No. 1 singles, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 over Colin before Sickinger clinched the win at No. 4 singles.
"We talked to the girls this morning about honoring our senior with your performance today. Carley has given her all to this program over the last four years," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "This hasn't been an easy season for Carley up to this point but this week she won two huge singles matches for us when we needed her the most and in doubles her and Sierra have been lights out.
The Lady Flames improve to 7-4 on the year and are 4-3 in the GSC. Delta State falls to 3-6 and 2-4 in league play. Lee will get eight days off before testing a tough Auburn Montgomery club on the road next Saturday, April 10 at 10 a.m.
