Tough stretch continues for Southeast Missouri State tennis team

~ The Redhawks tennis team dropped to 0-6 in OVC play with a loss to Tennessee-Martin

First-year Southeast Missouri State women's tennis coach Josh Moore didn't anticipate smooth sailing during his inaugural season.

In that respect Moore hasn't been surprised by the rough waters the Redhawks have faced although he remains optimistic for the future.

The Redhawks dropped their sixth straight match Tuesday and remained winless in Ohio Valley Conference play as visiting Tennessee-Martin posted a 5-2 victory at the Southeast Tennis Complex.

Southeast fell to 2-8 overall and 0-6 in the OVC. UTM improved to 3-10 and 2-1.

"We've lost some close matches but we have underperformed," Moore said. "It's definitely been tough to try and turn it around from a psychological aspect. We have to learn how to win."

Moore entered this season hopeful that the Redhawks could qualify for the OVC tournament for the first time since 2007, but that is now going to be difficult. Only six of the league's 11 squads make it.

Southeast was close last year during Mark Elliott's final season as coach, but some close losses ruined that chance. The 2012 Redhawks, who went 5-12 overall and 2-7 in OVC play, did post their most wins since 2008.

Moore was left with an experienced roster featuring some talented players, but the Redhawks lacked lineup depth. That has shown throughout the season, especially since they have suffered several key injuries.

Two more key players are currently out, meaning Southeast was down to only three scholarship players Tuesday as senior Nikole Novikova and sophomore Melissa Martin watched the match in street clothes.

Novikova was diagnosed earlier in the day with a stress fracture that likely will keep her out for the remainder of the season. Martin is due for shoulder surgery next week and will miss the rest of the year.

"It's tough, going up against these teams with three scholarship players," said Moore, who started the women's tennis program at Division II Texas A&M Kingsville before taking over at Southeast for Elliott, whose contract was not renewed after six seasons. "If Nikole would have been here [healthy] today, I think we would have been a slight favorite. She's our No. 3 [singles player] and our best doubles player."

Junior Elizabeth Nyenwe said the injuries have put a damper on the season.

"It's just quite tough. So many of us are injured. It does make it difficult," said Nyenwe, the OVC freshman of the year in 2011.

Two walk-ons helped fill Tuesday's lineup, as they have done much of the season, although Southeast was one player short of a full lineup and had to forfeit a singles match and a doubles match.

One of those walk-ons, Central High School graduate Sarah Uptmor, is a Southeast soccer player who joined the tennis squad.

"She hadn't played a match in four or five years," Moore said.

The Redhawks did have some bright spots Tuesday despite the loss.

Senior Jessica Courtnell improved her team-best singles record to 6-4 with a 7-6, 6-1 victory at the No. 3 position.

Nyenwe (5-4) pulled out Southeast's other win, at No. 2 singles. She faced triple match point, down 5-4 in the second set against Anna Marie Herbold, but rallied and then won a super tie-breaker. Scores were 4-6, 7-5, 10-5.

"It wasn't exciting for me," Nyenwe said with a laugh. "Unfortunately I tend to start very slow. It was tough, but I just tried to stay focused."

Said Moore: "She makes a habit of stretching out matches as long as she can. I think she's only won the first set one time this year."

Southeast also held leads in both doubles matches, but both ended in close losses as the Skyhawks captured the doubles point.

Moore remains optimistic he can turn around a program that consistently has finished toward the bottom of the OVC. He likes the way the current recruit class is taking shape and thinks it will pay dividends next season.

"It's looking good for next year," Moore said. "I feel good about what we can do with this program."

Southeast will hit the road for three consecutive matches beginning Friday at nonconference opponent Brescia College.

The Redhawks then resume OVC play Saturday at Eastern Kentucky and Sunday at Morehead State. They have four OVC matches left.

UTM 5, Southeast 2

Singles

No. 1 -- Ivon Simic (UTM) def. Heather Robinson 6-0, 6-1

No. 2 -- Elizabeth Nyenwe (SE) def. Anna Marie Herbold 4-6, 7-5, 10-5 (super tie-breaker)

No. 3 -- Jessica Courtnell (SE) def. Anna Winkelmann 7-6, 6-1

No. 4 -- Johanie Van Zyl (UTM) def. Sarah Uptmor 6-2, 6-0

No. 5 -- Jessica Silva (UTM) def. Lauren Schaper 6-0, 6-0

No. 6 -- Katie McCall (UTM) won by default

Doubles

No. 1 -- Simic-Herbold (UTM) def. Robinson-Courtnell 8-6

No. 2 -- Van Zyl-McCall (UTM) def. Nyenwe-Schaper 9-8

No. 3 -- Silva-Winkelmann (UTM) won by default