MARTIN, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University women's tennis team kept its momentum going, defeating UT Martin, 5-2, Saturday, at the Skyhawk Varsity Courts.
Unlike against Southeast Missouri, the Govs (8-6, 4-1 OVC) stumbled out of the gate, losing the doubles point. The Skyhawks (1-12, 1-4 OVC) won at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles to go up 1-0 in the match.
Things did not get much better for the Govs, as UT Martin won at No. 5 singles to go up 2-0. However, Austin Peay dug deep, starting with Ana Albertson's straight-set win at No. 4 singles. The top of the order for the Govs was up next, in an effort to try and claim the match. Lidia Yanes Garcia stayed unbeaten at No. 1 singles (13-0) to knot the match up at two. Fabienne Schmidt continued her impressive first spring season for APSU, as she also won in straight sets to give the Govs the lead, 3-2. Her German countrywoman Helena Kuppig then did what she does best: clinching matches for the Govs. Kuppig also won in straight sets to give Austin Peay its third straight win and its seventh win in its last eight matches.
"At this point, I couldn't be more proud of our women," said Governors head coach Ross Brown. "We are not at full strength and to get these wins on the road, I'm so proud of this team's mental toughness. We're not done yet."
The Govs return home next Friday to play host to SIUE in another Ohio Valley Conference match.
Austin Peay 5, UT Martin 2
Doubles
1. JUMAMUKHAMBETOVA, As/POTTER, Jemima (UTM) def. Lidia Yanes Garcia/Fabienne Schmidt (APSU) 6-0
2. SAKURAI, Mizuki/BURAK, Olha (UTM) vs. Brittney Covington/Helena Kuppig (APSU) 1-4, unfinished
3. PLANTADA, Andrea/CAMPBELL, Amelia (UTM) def. Ana Albertson/Claudia Yanes Garcia (APSU) 6-0
Singles
1. Lidia Yanes Garcia (APSU) def. JUMAMUKHAMBETOVA, As (UTM) 6-1, 7-5
2. Fabienne Schmidt (APSU) def. POTTER, Jemima (UTM) 6-1, 6-4
3. Helena Kuppig (APSU) def. PLANTADA, Andrea (UTM) 6-3, 6-4
4. Ana Albertson (APSU) def. BURAK, Olha (UTM) 6-1, 6-2
5. SAKURAI, Mizuki (UTM) def. Claudia Yanes Garcia (APSU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Brittney Covington (APSU) def. CAMPBELL, Amelia (UTM) 3-6, 6-3, 10-4
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (5,4,1,2,3,6)
