RV Women's Tennis holds off RV UT Southern in 4-3 win

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Lara Zugasti had a big three set win to help Cumberland defeat UT Southern 4-3. (Credit: Bob Tamboli)

DECATUR, Ala.--RV Cumberland women's tennis gets a big conference win on the road over RV Tennessee Southern 4-3.

The even more important double point went to Cumberland after CU took two of the three doubels matches. Jessica Hernandez and Maria Arbelaez picked up the win at No. 1 doubles over Margaret Lucas and Emely Castro, 6-3. The No. 2 doubles team for the Firehawks beat Alexandre Leisibach and Lara Zugasti 6-0, but the No. 3 team of Carly Earnhardt and Elina Sungatullina picked them up with a 6-2 win for the point.

Singles action was back-and-forth as both teams picked up three wins. Otone Odajima beat Jessica Hernandez at No. 1 with a three set victory, 7-6, 1-6, 6-0. Elina Sungatullina won at No. 2 with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Margaret Lucas. Sara Teorode De Morias defeated Maria Arbelaez at No. 3, 6-4, 6-2.

Lara Zugasti defeated Emely Castro after losing the first set 7-6. She bounced back for 6-2, 6-4 win in set two and three at No. 4. Yen-Ju Chang beat Carly Earnhardt at No. 5 in two sets, 6-4, 6-0 and Alexandra Leisibach had a big win at No. 6 to seal the victory, 6-1, 6-3.

The Phoenix improve to 7-7 on the season and 4-3 in Mid-South Conference play. Cumberland will be back at home this Saturday to take on Thomas More University at 2:00 p.m.

Singles competition

1. Otone Odajima (UTS) def. Jessica Hernandez (CU) 7-6, 1-6, 6-0

2. Elina Sungatullina (CU) def. Margaret Lucas (UTS) 6-0, 6-4

3. Sara Teorode De Morias (UTS) def. Maria Arbelaez (CU) 6-4, 6-2

4. Lara Zugasti (CU) def. Emely Castro (UTS) 6-7, 6-2, 6-4

5. Yen-Ju Chang (UTS) def. Carly Earnhardt (CU) 6-4, 6-0

6. Alexandra Leisibach (CU) def. Leovanna Viamonte (UTS) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Jessica Hernandez/Maria Arbelaez (CU) def. Margaret Lucas/Emely Castro (UTS) 6-3

2. Otone Odajima/Sara Teiride De Morias (UTS) def. Alexandra Leisibach/Lara Zugatsi (CU) 6-0

3. Carly Earnhardt/Elina Sungatullina (CU) def. Yen-Ju Chang/Abbey Rumble (UTS) 6-2