CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay women's tennis team opened its 2010 campaign with a 7-0 shutout of Belmont, Wednesday, at the Governors Tennis Center. The win marked the first time since the 2006 season the Lady Govs opened the season with a win.

The Lady Govs, under new head coach Malik Tabet, dropped only one set during the match and made good use of newcomers Vanja Tomic and Carolin Weikard. The pair provided a solid punch at the top of the Austin Peay line up in their first match. In combination with seniors Mariana Pagan and Michelle Liew - both All-OVC picks last season, Tabet was expecting results and that is what he got.

Tomic and Pagan teamed at No. 1 doubles, while Weikard and Liew played No. 2 doubles and senior Yuki Nakamura and sophomore Demi Georgakopoulos played at No. 3 doubles. While Austin Peay won all three matches, Belmont managed to keep them all close. Weikard and Liew won at the largest margin, 8-4, over Abby Hogan and Catherine Holliday.

With the doubles point in pocket, the Lady Govs rolled through the singles competition. Weikard played a three-set match at No. 2, winning (6-0, 2-6, 6-4) over Holliday. Pagan and Liew also played close matches at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively.

Tabet and the Lady Govs will not have long to enjoy the win as they play host to Chattanooga, Sunday. The Lady Mocs return five starters from last season.
-AP-

Tennis Match Results
Belmont vs Austin Peay
Jan 27, 2010 at Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay 7, Belmont 0

 Singles competition
1. TOMIC, Vanja (APSUW) def. LEATHERWOOD, Abby (BEL) 6-4, 6-1
2. WEIKARD, Carolin (APSUW) def. HOLLIDAY, Catherine (BEL) 6-0, 2-6, 6-4
3. PAGAN, Mariana (APSUW) def. STACK, Laura (BEL) 7-5, 7-6
4. LIEW, Michelle (APSUW) def. HOGAN, Abigail (BEL) 6-4, 7-5
5. NAKAMURA, Yuki (APSUW) def. BENNETT, Lindsay (BEL) 6-2, 6-3
6. GEORGAKOPOUOLS, D. (APSUW) def. NUNES, Natalia (BEL) 6-2, 6-3

 Doubles competition
1. TOMIC/PAGAN(APSUW) def. LEATHERWOOD/STACK (BEL) 9-7
2. WEIKARD/LIEW(APSUW) def. HOGAN/HOLLIDAY (BEL) 8-4
3. NAKAMURA/GEORGAKOPOULoS (APSUW) def. BENNETT/NUNES (BEL) 8-5

Match Notes:
Belmont 0-1
Austin Peay 1-0