Story by Adam Redfern, contributing writer
Racer tennis continued their OVC sweep with a 5-0 start with a 5-2 win over UT Martin and a 4-3 win over Southeast Missouri State.
Sophomore Claire Chang—Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Chang started off her weekend with a battle against UT Martin’s junior Asel Jumamukhambetova, winning 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. Chang teamed up with Masson to take down Jumamukhambetova and junior Jemima Potter 6-4. On Saturday, Chang lost a hard fought game to Southeast Missouri State University’s sophomore Oleksandra Doroshenko 6-7, 7-5, 6-2.
Freshman Stasya Sharapova—Astana, Kazakhstan
Sharapova was unable to record a win against UT Martin. Sharapova lost to Potter 6-7, 0-6. Sharapova played alongside Sophomore Sara Loncarevic and lost 4-6 to freshman Amelia Campbell and junior Andrea Plantada. Sharapova was still unable to record a win in singles against SEMO, losing 5-7, 2-6. Sharapova and Sara Loncarevic were able to beat junior Anais Emelie and junior Isabella Krupa 6-3.
Freshman Aarja Chakraborty—Gautam Budh Nagar, India
Chakraborty only played singles throughout the weekend, managing to beat UT Martin’s Plantada 6-2, 6-4. On Saturday, Chakraborty battled to a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Maya Thompson from Southeast Missouri State University.
Junior Amina Hadzic—Esbjerg, Denmark
Hadzic began her weekend with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over junior Olha Burak from UT Martin. Hadzic and Anja Loncarevic beat freshman Mizuki Sakurai and Burak 6-3. Hadzic rode her winning streak into Saturday, where she beat SEMO’s junior Anais Emelie 6-2, 6-3. Hadzic and Anja Loncarevic topped Maya Thompson and freshman Lundell 6-2.
Sophomore Anja Loncarevic—Guilherand Granges, France
Anja Loncarevic started her weekend with a hard-fought victory over UT Martin’s Sakurai 7-5, 7-5. For doubles Anja Loncarevic and Hadzic beat Sakurai and Burak 6-3. Anja Loncarevic lost a heartbreaker in a tiebreaker against SEMO’s freshman Kelly Sicha 6-7, 6-0, 2-10. Anja Loncarevic and Hadzic beat Maya Thompson and Lundell 6-2.
Junior Jeanne Masson–Dinard, France
To start the weekend Masson struggled in singles and fell short to UT Martin’s Amelia Campbell 2-6, 0-6. Masson had more success in doubles playing with Chang, together they beat Jumamukhambetova and Jemima Potter 6-4. Masson did not play singles against Southeast Missouri State University, but she did play doubles with Chang. Hadzic and Chang were unable to finish their match against Zonova and Doroshenko 5-3.
Sophomore Sara Loncarevic—Guilherand Granges, France
Sara Loncarevic only played doubles against UT Martin. Sara Loncarevic and Sharapova lost 4-6 to Campbell and Plantada. Sara Loncarevic did get to see some singles action against SEMO. Sara Loncarevic faced-off against and beat Lundell 6-2, 6-2. Sara Loncarevic and Sharapova beat Emelie and Krupa 6-3.
The Racers hope to continue their excellent play in the OVC when they face off against Eastern Illinois on Friday, April 6 in Murray at 1 p.m. Murray State will follow that with SIU-Edwardsville in on Saturday, April 7 in Murray at 1 p.m.