Box Score-2

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Saint Leo women’s tennis team (5-10, 1-4 SSC) had the rare occasion to compete in a morning-afternoon doubleheader, due to rain causing both matches to be scheduled on the same day. The Lions opened the conference slate of matches with a 6-3 loss to No. 24 Nova Southeastern University (3-5, 2-2 SSC) before being shut out by No. 2 Lynn University, 9-0.

In the first match, the Lions and Sharks did battle in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. NSU took two-of-three doubles matches and took four-of-six matches in singles play.

The Lions one doubles win came at the No. 3 spot as Chloe Andersson and Tamara Bustard outlasted the duo of Blake Bauer and Federica Longo, 8-4.

Jeanette McDonald briefly tied the match at two apiece with a three-set win over Karolina Porikova. The Lions No. 1 player took Porikova 6-1 in set one before failing in set two by the same score. Still, McDonald regrouped and went point-for-point with her opponent in the third set. The two players exchanged points in an thrilling final, but McDonald proved to be the most conditioned athlete, winning, 11-9.

Shaena Keefe gave the Lions their third point with a three-set win at No. 2 singles. Keefe struggled in her first, being shutout 6-0. Still, Keefe refused to be denied as she rallied to win the second set 7-6. In the super tiebreaker, Keefe matched her teammate at No. 1 singles with a convincing 10-6 win.

However, the squad could not find a victory over the final four matches as each player dropped straight-set decisions.

From there, the squad traveled up I-95 to Boca Raton, Fla. where they took on national powerhouse No. 2 Lynn.

Unfortunately, the conference tilt did not go the Lions’ way as they were dropped in nine-consecutive matches.  The Lions best chance at victory came at No. 1 singles where McDonald dropped her match in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.

The Lions return to the court on Monday, March 15 in an exhibition contest against Florida State College in Jacksonville, Fla. First serve is set for 2:00 p.m.