CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay women's tennis team won its third straight match, a 4-3 decision, Friday, against Southern Illinois. The Lady Govs improved to 5-2 overall while the Salukis fall to 2-4.

The win marked the first time this season the Lady Govs have won without the doubles point. No. 1 doubles tandem of sophomore Vanja Tomic and senior Mariana Pagan won their match, but the bottom two teams both failed to recover from rocky starts.

“We didn't execute well enough on the doubles side,” head coach Malik Tabet said. “We struggled to turn it around, but we bounced back well in singles. The kids responded well and came out strong.”

Trailing heading into singles play, Tabet was looking for a response out of his team and he saw it. Tomic dispatched SIU's Melanie Delsart at No. 1 singles, while sophomore Demi Georgakopoulos handed Anastacia Simons a straight-set loss at No. 5 singles. Both of these matches finished before Pagan and senior Michelle Liew at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively, could seal the deal.

“I was pleased with Mariana and Michelle in both matches,” Tabet said. “I'm very pleased with the way the kids are responding to the expectations and we're moving forward rather quickly.”

The Lady Govs return to the courts for Ohio Valley Conference action at Jacksonville State, March 6. Weather permitting; it may be the first time for the team to play outdoors this spring.

-AP-