PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Montana State Billings men's and women's tennis team opened the 2011 spring season in Phoenix, Arizona, Thursday at Grand Canyon University. The men's team dropped an 8-1 decision to the Antelopes, while the women were blanked 9-0.
“Our kids played the morning after a 20-plus hour bus ride,” MSUB first year head coach Lew Kosich said. “They started a bit slow, but improved as the day went on. Grand Canyon is one of the strongest teams we will face all year. They went to the Division II national tournament last year.”
On the men's side, the 'Lopes won 8-1 including a sweep at doubles. However, junior Alonso Leon earned a three set victory at the number two position as he battled back from a 7-5 first set loss to win the second set 6-4 and won the tie-breaker 10-8 in a pro set format.
It was the first match of the season for the men's team.
The Yellowjacket women's team dropped to 0-2 on the year as GCU, ranked 33rd nationally in the preseason NCAA Division II ITA poll, won in straight sets in all six singles matches and lost just one game in doubles. Junior Johnna Beatty and graduate Maria Peterson lost 8-1 at No. 2 doubles to GCU tandem of Katharien Mittag and Stephanie Haldman.
In singles, Beatty lost to Haldman 6-4, 6-2 marking the most wins by a Yellowjacket in the match.
The Yellowjackets continue their trip in Phoenix as they play Scottsdale Community College and Mesa Community College Friday. The match versus Scottsdale begins at 9 a.m., while the Mesa match is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Results
Men
Singles
1. Ahmad Saleem, GCU, defeated Navin Marimuthu, MSB, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
2. Alonso Leon, MSB, defeated Patrice Giraldi, GCU, 5-7, 6-4, 10-8
3. Frederic Schoelzel, GCU, defeated Kav Gamage
4. Stephane Murray, GCU, defeated Del Landieho, MSB, 6-0, 6-1
5. Kevin Anderson, GCU, defeated Thomas Staffileno, MSB, 6-2, 6-2
6. Jacob Spizman, GCU, defeated Geoff Fehr, MSB, 6-2, 6-1
Doubles
1.Schoelzel/Murray, GCU, defeated Marimathu/Leon, MSB, 8-3
2. Saleem/Giraldi, GCU, defeated Fehr/Staffileno, MSB, 8-0
3. Anderson/Will Herbert, GCU, deeatedf Brad Knutson/Gamage, MSB, 8-3
Final Score: GCU 8, MSB 1
MSUB Season Record: 0-1
Women
Singles
1. Katharina Mittag, GCU, defeated Kim Karlson, MSB, 6-1, 6-0
2. Cecilia Vergnet, GCU, defeated Rikki Peach, MSB, 6-0, 6-2
3. Stephanie Haldeman, GCU, defeated Johnna Beatty, MSB, 6-4, 6-2
4. Marie Vanlerenbergh, GCU, defeated Maria Peterson, MSB, 6-0, 6-2
5. Frederique Van de Velde, GCU, defeated Jane Probst, MSB, 6-1, 6-0
6. Chloe Cornilee, GCU, defeated Kayla Rochin, MSB, 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
1. Vergnet/Van de Velde, GCU, defeated Karlson/Peach, MSB, 8-0
2. Mittag/Haldeman, GCU, defeated Peterson/Beatty, MSB, 8-1
3. Vanlerenbergh/Knopf, GCU, defeated Rochin/Probst, MSB, 8-0
Final Score: GCU 9, MSB 0
MSUB Season Record: 0-2
