March 11, 2009

Charlotte Results

Coastal Carolina Results

CONWAY, S.C. - Saint Louis women's tennis forced a tough Coastal Carolina team to the brink before coming out on the short end of a 4-3 decision Tuesday at the Billy Nichols Tennis Center.

The Billikens (4-8) won two of three doubles contests to take a 1-0 lead. Hailee Elmore and Casey Miller edged Lexi Bolesky and Caitlyn Brooksbank 8-6 at No. 1, while Maureen Rielley and Kasia Tomalak were 8-4 winners over Tina Petkova and Patricia Cortes at No. 2.

In singles, Elmore breezed past Bolesky 6-0, 6-3 at No. 1, and Joe Becker defeated Brooksbank 6-2, 7-5 at No. 5. However, Coastal Carolina (8-1) won at Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 6 to earn the victory. At No. 4, Tomalak fought back from a difficult first set to almost force a third frame, but Cortes prevailed 6-2, 7-6 (8-3). The Chanticleers clinched the match in dramatic fashion at No. 6 as Maria Camberos registered a 4-6, 7-6 (8-4), 6-2 victory over Sarah Septien.

Sunday, the Billikens fell 7-0 to Atlantic 10 Conference rival Charlotte (6-2) in Charleston, S.C. Elmore and Tomalak battled their 49er opponents at Nos. 1 and 4, respectively. Elmore was nipped 7-5, 6-4 by Ana Spivakovsky, while Tomalak nearly took Andrea Rivera to three sets before bowing 6-3, 7-5.

"The loss to Coastal Carolina was heartbreaking, but we did a lot of positive things against a very good team," head coach Jonathan Zych said. "It was good to play outdoors against two quality opponents and begin preparing for the second half of the season and the A-10 Championship."

Saint Louis returns to action Sunday, March 22, hosting Illinois State at Dwight Davis Tennis Center.