GOLDEN SUNS DROP REGULAR SEASON FINALE AT HOME TO HENDERSON STATE

        RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Golden Suns Tennis closed out its 2007-08 regular season here Sunday on Senior Day at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex by falling 7-2 to Henderson State in Gulf South Conference action.

Sunday’s match against Henderson State marked the home contest for Tech’s three seniors – Renee Malcuit (Lakeside, Calif.), Puja Paul (Kolkata, West Bengal India) and Whitney Simmons (Pottsville, Ark.).  

Despite the loss, Tech, who is 11-8 overall on the season and 3-3 in the GSC, still qualified for its first-ever berth in next weekend’s GSC Tournament in Montgomery, Ala.

“This loss is disappointing, especially for our seniors in their last home match,” Golden Suns Head Coach Abby Davis. “But at least we still have some more tennis to play this season. I am proud of our team for qualifying for the GSC Tournament for the first time in school’s history.”

  On Sunday, HSU, who remains alive to capture the final berth in the GSC Tournament pending the outcome of Monday’s Ouachita Baptist-Southern Arkansas match, opened by picking up two out of three points in doubles as they won at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. The Golden Suns, though, picked up an 8-1 win at No. 1 doubles.

In singles action, Tech’s only win came from junior Kristen Brown (Winona, Texas) at No. 5 as she defeated Stephanie Schnobel (6-1, 3-0 ret.). The Golden Suns lost three-set heartbreakers at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, while the Lady Reddies picked up straight set wins at Nos. 3, 4 and 6 singles.

Tech will now return to action next Saturday, April 19, at the 2008 GSC Championship Meet at Lagoon Park in Montgomery, Ala.  

Results

Henderson State 7, Tech 2

Singles

No 1. – Melissa West (HSU) def. Saki Matsuoka (Tech), 6-3, 2-6, 6-1

No. 2 – Iustina Gasca-Silav (HSU) def. Anna Carson (Tech), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5)

No. 3 – Meredith Massey (HSU) def. Puja Paul (Tech), 6-3, 6-1

No. 4 – Rebecca Staton (HSU) def. Michelle Yu (Tech), 6-2, 6-4

No. 5 – Kristen Brown (Tech) def. Stephanie Schnobel (HSU), 6-1, 3-0 retired

No. 6 – Megan Harness (HSU) def. Whitney Simmons (Tech), 6-2, 6-3

Doubles

No. 1 – Carson/Matsuoka (Tech) def. West/Schnobel (HSU), 8-1

No. 2 – Massey/Staton (HSU) def. Paul/Yu (Tech), 8-2

No. 3 – Gasca-Silav/Harness (HSU) def. Simmons/Brown (Tech), 8-6

-- Tech Athletics --