KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — After a competitive battle against No. 2 Georgia and a day of travel Saturday, the No. 21 LSU women’s tennis team fell to 13th-ranked Tennessee Sunday, 7-0.
The temperature in Knoxville was just cool enough to where the match was held in the Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Courts.
The Lady Tigers (11-6, 1-4 SEC) could never get it going as Tennessee jumped out early by sweeping in doubles. LSU’s top tandem of 14th-ranked Megan Falcon and Mykala Hedberg entered the match with a 12-match win streak.
Samantha Orlin of Tennessee (11-4, 4-2) finished first on court three as she defeated freshman Whitney Wolf 6-1, 6-4.
On court one, No. 15 Falcon’s 5-match win streak was snapped when 48th-ranked Caitlin Whoriskey beat her 6-2, 6-4.
LSU’s Hedberg fell to Natalie Pluskota on court two 6-3, 6-0 as Pluskota clinched the overall match for the Lady Vols.
On court four, Nicole Kantor was not able to bring the Lady Tigers on the board as she lost to Jennifer Meredith 6-3, 6-4.
Because the indoor facility only has four courts, Hannah Robinson and Staten Spencer were not able to begin their matches until the first two singles matches were completed.
Lady Vol Rosalia Alda took the match point over Robinson in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 on court five.
Maria Sorbello ensured the sweep over LSU as she beat Spencer 6-2, 6-3 on court six.
“Tennessee played an outstanding match, and what we have to do is regroup and get ready for next week,” said head coach Tony Minnis.
The Lady Tigers will be back in action for a weekend of SEC play at home in the W.T. “Dub” Robinson Stadium. The team will duel Florida Friday as first serve is set for 3 p.m. CDT.
#13 Tennessee 7, #21 LSU 0
March 29, 2009 at Knoxville, Tenn. (Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Courts)
Singles
1. Caitlin Whoriskey (UT) def. Megan Falcon (LSU) 6-2, 6-4
2. Natalie Pluskota (UT) def. Mykala Hedberg (LSU) 6-3, 6-0
3. Samantha Orlin (UT) def. Whitney Wolf (LSU) 6-1, 6-4
4. Jennifer Meredith (UT) def. Nicole Kantor (LSU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Rosalia Alda (UT) def. Hannah Robinson (LSU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Maria Sorbello (UT) def. Staten Spencer (LSU) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles
1. Caitlin Whoriskey/Natalie Pluskota (UT) def. Megan Falcon/Mykala Hedberg 8-5
2. Rosalia Alda/Zsofia Zubor (UT) def. Hannah Robinson/Whitney Wolf 8-6
3. Samantha Orlin/Maria Sorbello (UT) def. Nicole Kantor/Staten Spencer 8-4
Match Notes
Order of Finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (3,1,2,4,5,6)
LSU 11-6, 1-4 SEC; National ranking #21
Tennessee 11-4, 4-2 SEC; National ranking #13