March 28, 2009

Eagles ground Flyers,
Record second straight win

at Southern Indiana (3-9, 3-2 GLVC): 6
Lewis (6-6, 1-2 GLVC): 3

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's tennis team defeated Lewis University, 6-3, to notch its second consecutive victory Saturday at the Tri-State Athletic Club.

USI (3-9, 3-2 GLVC) picked up wins at number one and three doubles to take a 2-1 lead heading into singles' competition. The Screaming Eagles clinched the match with straight-set victories at number three, five, and six singles before closing the match with a pro-set victory at number two singles. 

Michelle Girgenti

Jennie LaBonte

Sophomores Michelle Girgenti (Greenwood, Indiana) and Jennie LaBonte (Indianapolis, Indiana) led the Eagles. Girgenti teamed with senior Reilly Ackerman (Mt. Carmel, Illinois) for an 8-5 win at number one doubles before recording an 8-4, pro-set victory at number two singles.

LaBonte paired with senior Emily Schum (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) for an 8-3 win at number three doubles before besting Maggie Novack 6-4, 6-4 at number five singles.

Junior Gretchen Cantwell (Vincennes, Indiana) posted a straight-set win at number three singles, while freshman Jodie Petty (Scottsburg, Indiana) notched a straight-set victory at number six singles.

Lewis (6-6, 1-2 GLVC) was led by freshman Bayley Brown, the daughter of USI men's tennis coach Ross Brown. Brown went a combined 2-0 at number two doubles and four singles.

The Eagles, who have cancelled their match with the University of West Alabama, continue their six-match homestand Friday when they take on the University of Missouri-St. Louis in a men's and women's GLVC doubleheader at the USI Tennis Courts. The matches are slated to begin at 2 p.m.

Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information