Statesboro Blues

Wednesday, March 30

Statesboro, GA

2 p.m.

Mercer University

Georgia Southern University

3/30/2022 9:14:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Mercer drops 4-3 decision to Georgia Southern

STATESBORO, Ga. -- The Mercer women's tennis team lost a heartbreaking 4-3 decision to in-state foe and defending Sun Belt champion, Georgia Southern, in Statesboro on Wednesday afternoon.

The Eagles' No. 3 doubles pair took the first match of the day, but was quickly countered when Mary Courville and Naya Tillitt won at No. 1 to make No. 2 for the all-important first point of the match. On Court 2, Lauren Rich and Kristin Yordanova took a 7-5 win to take the doubles point for the Bears.

In singles action, Georgia Southern took the lead with straight-set wins at Nos. 3, 4 and 5 to take a commanding 3-1 lead to push the Bears to the brink. Francesca Franchi battled to a 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 for the point and to keep hopes alive. The hosts clinched the match at Court No. 2 when Courville fell in three by a 4-6, 6-2, 1-6 scoreline. Tillitt won in a third-set tiebreak with a 6-0, 1-6, 7-6 (7-3) score.

Mercer will step back into conference play on Sunday, when they'll host Furman. First serves with the Paladins is set for 9:30 a.m.

Singles competition

1. Naya Tillitt (MERW) def. Paula Hijos (GS) 6-0, 1-6, 7-6 (7-3)
2. Sonja Keranen (GS) def. Mary Courville (MERW) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
3. Sophie Wagemaker (GS) def. Alara Hollyfield (MERW) 6-1, 6-3
4. Mila Hartig (GS) def. Lauren Rich (MERW) 6-1, 6-1
5. Elizabeth Goines (GS) def. Lekha Varudandi (MERW) 6-3, 6-3
6. Francesca Franchi (MERW) def. Hannah Daniel (GS) 6-0, 3-6, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Mary Courville/Naya Tillitt (MERW) def. Elizabeth Goines/Sonja Keranen (GS) 7-6 (8-6)
2. Lauren Rich/Kristin Yordanova (MERW) def. Paula Hijos/Silvia Martinez (GS) 7-5
3. Hannah Daniel/Sophie Wagemaker (GS) def. Alara Hollyfield/Lekha Varudandi (MERW) 6-1

Match Notes:
Mercer 6-11
Georgia Southern 9-7
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,3,5,6,2,1)
T-3:15 A-50