University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Baylor
No. 3 Baylor Tops Tennessee, 4-1
February 19, 2011 | Women's Tennis
Feb. 19, 2011
By Donnie Conley, Media Relations Student Assistant
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The No. 11-ranked University of Tennessee Lady Vol tennis team dropped its second consecutive match, losing to No. 3 Baylor, 4-1, in a consolation match at the ITA National Women's Team Indoor Championships on Saturday at the Boar's Head Tennis Club.
In a match that was very similar to yesterday's loss to No. 6 Duke, the Lady Vols (6-2) took the doubles point but were not able to muster any momentum in singles.
"It's a tale of two things," Co-head coach Mike Patrick said. "We're very proud of the way we're playing doubles and very disappointed in the way we're playing singles. We just aren't playing tough enough.
"We're unable to do repetitive things and stick with the game plan. When we get back to work on Tuesday, we're going to go out and work on our deficiencies."
Baylor started strong in singles and never looked back. No. 12-ranked Sona Novakova defeated Natalie Pluskota at No. 1 singles, 6-2, 6-2, tying the team score at 1-1. From there, Baylor got victories from Nina Secerbegovic at No. 3 and Jelena Stanivuk at No. 5, setting the stage for Abby Stainback to clinch the match for Baylor with a victory over Whitney Wofford at No. 6 singles.
Patrick said that the loss is disappointing, but he knows that his team is capable of competing with the best in the country.
"We have to get better and do a better job of focusing," Patrick said. "This (tournament) exposes all of your weaknesses. We're dominating some good teams in doubles so it's not a lack of talent, just a lack of discipline. "
Sophomore Kata Szekely won her first set, 7-5, and had match point in the second set when Baylor clinched and the match ended.
In doubles, Jennifer Meredith and Kata Szekely continued their strong play, winning their sixth consecutive match over Abby Stainback and Karolina Filipiak, 8-1. Rosalía Alda and Maria Sorbello clinched the doubles point for the Big Orange with an 8-3 win against Nina Secerbegovic and Jelena Stanivuk at the No. 2 doubles position.
Natalie Pluskota and Millie Nichols, the nation's No. 48-ranked doubles team, were leading their match at No. 1 doubles, 6-3, before UT clinched the doubles point.
Tennessee's doubles teams have not lost a match since Jan. 23 against Illinois, capturing 17 straight victories.
The Lady Vols will close out its stay at the 2011 Women's National Team Indoor Championships tomorrow with another consolation match. The draw for the final consolation round will be released following the completion of all matches today.
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#3 Baylor 4, #11 Tennessee 1
Singles competition 1. #12 Sona Novakova (BAY) def. #39 Natalie Pluskota (TENN) 6-2, 6-2
2. #30 Diana Nakic (BAY) vs. Rosalia Alda (TENN) 6-3, 4-3, unfinished
3. Nina Secerbegovic (BAY) def. Maria Sorbello (TENN) 6-2, 6-2
4. Karolina Filipiak (BAY) vs. Kata Szekely (TENN) 5-7, 1-5, unfinished
5. Jelena Stanivuk (BAY) def. Millie Nichols (TENN) 6-4, 6-2
6. Abby Stainback (BAY) def. Whitney Wofford (TENN) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Sona Novakova/Diana Nakic (BAY) vs. #48 Natalie Pluskota/Millie Nichols (TENN) 3-6, unfinished
2. Rosalia Alda/Maria Sorbello (TENN) def. Nina Secerbegovic/Jelena Stanivuk (BAY) 8-3
3. Jennifer Meredith/Kata Szekely (TENN) def. Abby Stainback/Karolina Filipiak (BAY) 8-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,3,5,6)
Players Mentioned
