LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine women's tennis team turned in another valiant effort on Sunday, but Jacksonville State came out victorious by a final score of 4-2.
For the second straight match, the Knights (1-17, 0-4 ASUN) came out strong by winning the doubles point.
Ashley Jonathan and
Madison Devillez took care of business in no. 1 doubles 6-3, while
Ekaterina Tikhonko and
Channing Varnum teamed up for a no.2 doubles 6-4 win. Tikhonko and Varnum also won their doubles match on Friday against Lipscomb.
Tikhonko also won her second consecutive singles match, besting Romane Mosse with a healthy 6-3, 7-5 win. The match swung in no. 2 and no. 3 singles, with Jacksonville State earning hard-fought wins. After losing the first set, Devillez won set two 7-6 in the no. 2 singles match. The third set, and the victory, went to Anna Syrova though. In no. 3 singles, Jonathan won her first set 6-4, but Dariana Prato rallied for two straight 7-5 set wins and the match victory. Ella Tuomela and Balsen Kaya also won their singles matches for the Gamecocks, leading to the 4-2 team win.
"It was another tough result today," Knights Head Coach
Brian Slack said. "Momentum was on our side early, but Jacksonville State started bringing some energy, and it changed the outcome of this match. We will find a way to get some wins. It comes down to a couple of points here and there."
Bellarmine is back on the road next weekend as they travel to Central Arkansas on Friday and North Alabama on Sunday for a pair of ASUN contests.
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).