NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers started fast and were relentless in a 4-0 win over the UIW Cardinals in the first round of the Southland Tennis Tournament on Friday at the University Tennis Center.
The win was the first in the conference tournament for the Privateers (14-8) since 2017.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Privateers started the day with a strong doubles performance all around.
Estelle Vanthier and
Mar Gendra raced out to a 4-1 lead and never looked back in a 6-2 win at flight three. The doubles point was sealed when
Ank Vullings and
Lea Alguacil served out for a 6-3 victory at flight two.
Flight one doubles went back and forth with
Lina Hohnhold and
Salma Abdelrahim leading 5-4 when the match was decided.
In singles, the Privateers won every first set. Hohnhold won the opening set without dropping a game then coasted with four consecutive games won in the second set to score a 6-0, 6-2 win, her 15
th consecutive singles victory.
Alguacil secured a hold and a service break that sealed the deal at flight six as she won 6-2, 6-3 to put the Privateers on the brink of victory.
That was accomplished mere seconds later when Gendra was up 40-0 on Kinga Psut's serve. Two points later, a shot that went long scored the win for Gendra and advancement into the semifinals on Saturday morning.
FROM COACH KANGA
They were all in the zone and I couldn't be prouder of the way they executed their game plan from start to finish. They did a good job in doubles and came out strong in singles. I think across the board they played without fear.
"We've struggled getting over this hump in the past but we got through it and now we get ready for tomorrow."
When you play with confidence you're going to execute. It's shot selection, when you play with or against the wind and today they did what they were supposed to do."
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the semifinals.
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