Results
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Sophomores
Gipson Hawn and
Erika Fridrik each earned singles victories and a gripping tiebreaker in a doubles pairing helped the Eckerd College women's tennis program keep the University of West Alabama on its heels Thursday afternoon, 6-3.
The Tritons (2-8 overall) were looking to string back-to-back victories together after bringing down Merrimack (Mass.) College earlier this week on Sunday.
With four singles triumphs and a pair of doubles wins, the Tigers (15-7 overall) eventually claimed a South Region battle that lasted late into the afternoon at the Turley Athletic Complex.
Hawn improved her record to 2-0 in the No. 1 position of singles competition in the absence of sophomore
Carson Trapp (knee). She is now tied for the team lead in wins (four) with sophomore
Taylor Bullock and improved her singles mark to 4-6 this spring.
Hawn bested UWA's Natalia Cardenas in a pair of tiebreakers to claim each set by a final decision of 7-6, 7-6. She was coming off a strong 6-0, 6-1, effort on Sunday vs. Merrimack.
“Everyone has been putting in a lot of effort and really trying their best without Cari (Trapp) in the lineup,” said Hawn. “This helps boost my confidence and helps the whole team moving forward.”
Fridrik extended an impressive singles streak of her own, winning her third straight bout dating back to March 20 vs. No. 24 New York Institute of Technology. She is now 2-0 this season at the No. 4 position and recorded her other win in the No. 5 spot.
Against the Tigers this afternoon, Fridrik wore down Dasha Popova with a final straight-set decision of 6-4, 6-3.
Sophomore
Amy Naula won her first set in the No. 5 duel against Emily Gerding, but consequently dropped the next two sets. Bullock and senior
Manon Ironside manned No. 3 and No. 2 in the rotation, respectively.
Bullock and senior
Amanda Teets combined to bring down Gerding/Popova in the No. 3 doubles clash, 9-8, holding off the UWA pairing with a decisive tiebreaker.
The Tritons will spend the next week preparing for Rose-Hulman (Ind.) Institute of Technology scheduled for next Thursday. The non-conference match is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m.
