MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The No. 14 Lee University women's tennis team claimed a Gulf South Conference road match against University of Montevallo 5-2 Tuesday afternoon at the UM Tennis Court Complex. The Lady Flames improved to 6-0 within the conference and 13-0 overall, while the Falcons dropped to 8-5, 3-3 GSC.
Mirjana Ragastovac and Vitoria Maximiliano began doubles competition with a 6-2 win over Latizia Bojara and Erika Freire at No. 3 doubles. Johanna Kullmann and Greta Vagnini held off Ashleigh Simes and Aliyah Dwyer 6-4 to even the tally at 1-1. Maria Penalver Aguilo and Kanna Kobayakawa beat Klara Podskubkova and Claire Jaramba 6-4 to secure the doubles point for Lee.
Dwyer posted a 7-5, 6-2 win over Jaramba at No. 3 singles to push the Lee advantage to 2-0. Simes, ranked No. 1, defeated Podskubkova with matching 7-5 set scores. Penalver Aguilo lost her first set against Elena Ondobo 6-3 before posting 6-3 and 7-5 margins in the last two sets to win at No. 2 singles and clinch the team match.
Vagnini ended Lee's shutout hopes with a three-set win over Kobayakawa at No. 5 singles. Vagnini won the opening set 6-4 and Kobayakawa won the second set 6-3. Vagnini claimed the match with a 10-5 super set tiebreaker.
Ragastovac posted two tiebreaker wins to defeat Kullmann in three sets at No. 4 singles. Ragastovac claimed the first set 7-6 following a 7-4 tiebreaker. Kullmann forced a third set with a 6-4 score in the second. Ragastovac grabbed the win with a 10-7 mark in a super set tiebreaker.
Montevallo garnered their second point with a win at No. 6 singles where London Breedlove beat Fuhr 6-2 and 6-1.
The Lady Flames are scheduled to play their final home match on Saturday against University of West Alabama. The GSC contest is set for 11 a.m. Lee will recognize its four seniors (Ashleigh Simes, Maria Penalver Aguilo,Mirjana Ragastovac and Kanna Kobayakawa) in a ceremony earlier in the morning.
Coach Patric Hynes' Thoughts:
"Another really solid effort from our ladies, they keep producing the goods under pressure. We've had some really tough losses to this team the last few years, so it felt good to leave here with a win.
"Excited to honor our seniors on Saturday!"
