SAINT LEO, Fla. – The No.24-ranked Saint Leo women’s tennis team (7-4, 0-2 SSC) dropped a 5-4 Sunshine State Conference decision to the No.28-ranked Florida Tech Panthers (7-4, 2-2 SSC), Sunday afternoon from the Saint Leo Tennis Center.
In doing so, Saint Leo had its season-high four match winning streak stopped. It was the longest win streak for the Lions since last March.
The Lions, who had shutout each of their last four opponents, couldn’t overcome a 2-1 doubles deficit, as the Panthers did just enough to oust the Lions.
Despite the final doubles margin, the day got off to a good start for SLU as the No.3 team of Jeanette McDonald and Adrianna Daszkiewicz made quick work of Alexis Weinning and Abbey Keister, 8-1.
Unfortunately, it was all Saint Leo claimed as both the No.1 and No.2 pairs for the Panthers earned wins. Katarina Huba and Kristina Huba slid their way past Bethania Laan and Laura Kemkes, 9-7, and Abigail Greif and Monica Price turned back Selma Hidass and Caroline Ebner, 8-4.
After the Panthers made it a 3-1 lead with a win at No. 6 singles, back-to-back wins by Hidass and McDonald tied the match. Hidass breezed past Dohner in consecutive sets, 6-2, 6-0 while McDonald paced herself in a 6-3, 6-4 win at No.2.
Unfortunately, Panthers’ victories at No.1 and No.4 ended any chance of the Lions completing the comeback. Laan suffered a three set loss at the top spot, while Daszkiewicz couldn’t post the win at No. 4.
The Lions did finish the match on a high note, however, as Kemkes downed Huba, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 singles.
Despite being edged, Head Coach James Bryce continues to see many learning moments, “We played a tough match today against a good team. I thought we fought hard but inexperience proved to be too much to overcome in the end. I think we learned a lot today. Some rest and a good day of practice will help as we prepare for the upcoming matches.
Saint Leo will continue its home stand on Wednesday, March 9 when they take on the Michigan Tech in a non-region match-up. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m. from the Saint Leo Tennis Center.
