NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers women's tennis team got off to a stellar start in their spring campaign as they defeated the North Alabama Lions 7-0 on Friday at the Privateer Tennis Center.
Doubles started the day with
Laurie Barendse and
Tristanne Dechoux having to stave off a late rally. They held on with a service break after Tristanne hit a backhand winner for match point.
Seconds later on court two, it was
Didi Bredberg Canizares and
Raluca Puscas' turn to deliver. It was Puscas at the net who pounced on a ball and smashed a forehand winner to earn the Privateers their first point of the day.
As it broke down to singles, the Privateers continued to command the court at every position. Puscas was in control of her opponent at flight six. She did not concede a game and won 6-0, 6-0 in her Privateer spring debut.
Bredberg gained a big service break late in a tight second set. On the changeover, she was serving for the match and closed it out with little resistance. At 40-15, her opponent returned a ball wide which gave Bredberg the victory and a 3-0 advantage.
Kate Kalistratova and Dechoux finished within moments of each other. After being pushed to a second set, Kalistratova quickly assumed command en route to a 7-6 (3), 6-2) win.
Dechoux's big serving generated aces and put her opponent on the defensive. After Valeria San Miguel broke to win the second set, Dechoux rebounded quickly with a huge third set. She did not concede a game in a 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 victory.
Barendse pushed through a grueling match to win at flight three 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Anastassia Kouchnareva finished the sweep after winning two long sets. Kouchnareva earned a win in a tiebreak in the first and had a late break in the second for a 7-6 (3), 7-5 triumph.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face Southern on Tuesday at home. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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