RADFORD DROPS BIG SOUTH FINALE 4-3 TO LONGWOOD

Follow @RadfordWTennis

RADFORD, Va. – Radford and Longwood entered the match winless in Big South play as the two in-state foes battled down to the wire as the Lancers came out victorious with a 4-3 victory, Sunday afternoon.

Natalie Sayer and Meili Martin opened the match with a 6-1 win over Jamie Breunig and Fallon Burger in No. 1 singles.

The Highlanders were unable to capture another doubles matche as the Lancers took a 6-2 win in No. 2 doubles and a 6-1 in win in No. 3 action to take the first point.

However, Radford jumped out to an early 2-1 lead once singles play started. Sayer picked up her fourth win in a row with a 6-1, 6-4 decision over Breunig. The junior has won nine out of her last 10 matches, improving to 10-8 on the season and 4-4 in league play.

Yuliia Popova followed Sayer with a 6-0, 6-3 win against Burger in No. 6 singles, giving the freshman her fifth win on the season and first in conference action.

After falling behind 2-1, Longwood stormed back to take the No. 4 and 5 singles. The two wins pushed the Lancer lead back to 3-2.

Claire Nguyen and Anna Pelak were locked into a tough battle in No. 3 singles. Nguyen gave everything she had, but was unable to force a third set, dropping a 7-6 (2), 7-5 match to Pelak.

Following Longwood clinching the match, Drousile Dzeubou continued her dominating performance in No. 1 singles with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 win over Marija. The win improves Dzeubou to 11-7 on the season and 4-4 in Big South play.

Radford (6-13) finishes conference play with an 0-8 record and will wrap up the regular season on Saturday with a 2 p.m. home match against NC Central.

Singles Competition

1. Drousile Dzeubou (Radford) def. Marija Venta (Longwood) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
2. Natalie Sayer (Radford) def. Jamie Breunig (Longwood) 6-1, 6-4
3. Anna Pelak (Longwood) def. Claire Nguyen (Radford) 7-6 (7-2), 7-5
4. Paloma Alatorre (Longwood) def. Meili Martin (Radford) 6-2, 6-2
5. Mason Thomas (Longwood) def. Karlie Pope (Radford) 6-3, 6-2
6. Yuliia Popova (Radford) def. Fallon Burger (Longwood) 6-0, 6-3

Order of finish: (2,6,4,5,3,1)

Doubles Competition

1. Martin/Sayer (Radford) def. Breunig/Burger (Longwood) 6-1
2. Alatorre/Venta (Longwood) def. Dzeubou/Nguyen (Radford) 6-2
3. Pelak/Thomas (Longwood) def. Pope/Popova (Radford) 6-1

Order of finish: (1,3,2)

Match Notes
Radford (6-13, 0-8 BSC)
Longwood (7-12, 1-6 BSC)

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Meili Martin: 5' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore

Claire Nguyen: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Karlie Pope: 5' 5"; Junior

Natalie Sayer: 5' 8"; Junior

Drousile Dzeubou: 5' 10"; Freshman

Yuliia Popova: 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Meili Martin
: 5' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore

Claire Nguyen
: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Karlie Pope
: 5' 5"; Junior

Natalie Sayer
: 5' 8"; Junior

Drousile Dzeubou
: 5' 10"; Freshman

Yuliia Popova
: 5' 5"; Freshman