CLARKSVILLE, Tenn – It took six hours, but Austin Peay women's tennis team won its season's fourth match, doubling last season's win total, with a 4-3 win against Chattanooga, Sunday, at the Governors Tennis Center.

After a week-long break between matches, the Lady Govs (4-2) picked a 5-0 win against Alabama A&M, Saturday, and continued their strong play. This coming after getting blanked twice, against Memphis and Samford the previous weekend. Head coach Malik Tabet credits the improvement to on-court adjustments.

“We knew it was going to be a tough match, but the kids battled,” Tabet said. “We're constantly making adjustments. We try to find a weakness on each opponent and go after it. It's all a matter of trusting your game and being able to make adjustments as the match progresses.”

Strong doubles play ignited the Lady Govs in Sunday's win over Chattanooga (1-2). Senior Mariana Pagan and sophomore Vanja Tomic played to an 8-5 win at No. 1, while senior Michelle Liew and freshman Carolin Weikard won, 8-6, at No. 2.  Austin Peay is 4-0 when it wins the doubles point.

Austin Peay's three singles wins came in the top half. Tomic won a battle at No. 1 singles, while Weikard picked up a straight set win of Emily Hangstefer – who entered the match ranked No. 102 by the ITA. The clincher came at No. 3 singles by Mariana Pagan. After losing the first set, Pagan was able to make the necessary changes for to win (6-1, 6-2).

As for picking up the team's fourth win at such an early point in the season, Tabet says his team is not finished and more importantly, not satisfied.

“We brought in two kids (Tomic and Weikard) to fill out this team,” Tabet said. “Just to be able to play Mariana at No.3 is huge. Our team is playing better and more under control. Our goal is to get ready for conference play. I do feel good about the way the team is improving. They're gaining more confidence with each win and that's what we want to do.”

-AP-