Southeast collects early win against Evansville

Just two matches into the season, the Southeast Missouri State women's tennis team has already equaled its victory total from all of last year.

The Redhawks slipped past host Evansville 4-3 over the weekend to even their record at 1-1. They went 1-21 in 2004 during coach Jay Pacelli's first season.

"It's a big win, because we got swept by them last year 7-0 and beating them is a huge improvement," Pacelli said. "For a young team, this should give us a lot of confidence."

Southeast got off to a good start by winning the doubles point, which is awarded to the team that wins at least two of the three doubles matches.

Freshmen twin sisters Bryce and Drew Kristal prevailed 8-5 at No. 1, then senior Daniela Garcia and sophomore Ashley Hooper won at No. 2 by the same score to clinch the point. At No. 3, freshmen Kim Roberts and Miranda Petrea received a forfeit because Evansville had just five healthy players.

"Even though it's just one point, getting that doubles point right away was big," Pacelli said.

Winning in singles for Southeast were No. 3 Garcia (6-2, 7-6), sophomore No. 5 Kim Anderson (6-4, 6-4) and No. 6 Roberts (forfeit). Losing were No. 1. Bryce Kristal (6-2, 6-4), No. 2 Drew Kristal (6-2, 6-0) and No. 4 Hooper (6-2, 6-0).

"The match was tied 3-3 and Daniela was the last one still out there. She played great and clinched it for us," Pacelli said. "Kim {a Jackson High School graduate} also played really well and got a big win.

"Evansville's top two players are two of the better players in the Missouri Valley Conference, and they've got an overall solid program. We got the one singles win by default, but I think we would have won that match anyway."

Southeast plays at St. Louis University Friday.