Women's tennis drops fifth straight match

Troy women’s tennis is now losers of its last five matches after a heartbreaking loss to North Alabama, 4-3. The Lions of UNA entered play on a roll, as they were winners of their last seven matches before their date with Troy.  

While the Trojans ultimately fell, there were several positives beginning with pushing the Lions to play all ninematches by forcing several tiebreakers. 

In doubles play, Troy’s Maria Guirguis and Valeriia Avdeeva were victorious in their match against Farah Assad and Eeva Ristola, 6-2. On the other hand, UNA’s Louise Booker and Sammie Schouten claimed victory on court three but were pushed by Troy’s Leena Metwally and Alexia Zarate, 7-6 (7-4).  

Turning to singles play, Guirguis moved to 7-0 as she was the first Trojan to claim victory.

On court one, she defeated Ristola in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3. Zarate was next as she defeated Booker in straight sets via tiebreaker, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). 

Avdeeva also was victorious in singles play against Mathilde Delaney. Delaney took set one 6-4, and Avdeeva took set two 6-3, leading to a decisive third set. Avdeeva proved to be too much for Delaney,securing the victory, 6-4. 

With the match score 3-3, the match on court two between Emma Ansorge and Leena Metwally became pivotal. Both survived the others best shots, with Metwally winning set one 6-4. Ansorge stormed back to take set two with the same score. With the match on the line, Metwally pushed back but ultimately was overwhelmed and handed her first singles loss of the season, 7-5. 

On Sunday, Troy was scheduled to begin conference play against Coastal Carolina, but the match was canceled due to weather.  

The Trojans will have about a week to reset, as their next match marks the beginning of a Sunday, Tuesday and Friday split. On Sunday, the Trojans will be travelling to Lorman, Mississippi, to take on Alcorn State before travelling to Thibodaux, Louisiana, for a match with Nicholls on Tuesday. The week concludes with the Trojans returning to the Lunsford Tennis Complex to open Sun Belt Conference play against Texas State.