Women's Tennis 1/14/2019 8:55:00 PM

WOMEN'S TENNIS FALLS TWICE AT TENNESSEE

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 KNOXVILLE, Tenn., - The University of North Alabama women's tennis team opened its first Division I season on the road Monday against a perennial NCAA power Tennessee, dropping both ends of a double-header by identical 7-0 scores.

Although the scores were the same for both matches, UNA head tennis coach Brice Bishop said his team showed improvement throughout both contests.

"We did play a little nervous and tight in the first match, but it was still an incredible effort," said Bishop. "Our freshmen played extremely well. Sydney Flesch had chances to win every match she played today and Elise Sickle also had a strong showing in the second match at No. 6 singles. We played a really good opponent and we got what we needed to get out of our first-ever Division I match."

Tennessee (2-0) entered the season with five returning lettermen from its 2018 NCAA Tournament team. The Volunteers were able to grab early leads by sweeping doubles play in both matches. UNA had its best chance at No. 1 doubles in the second match where Flesch and Claudia Arroyo dropped a 6-4 decision to the No. 33 team of Sadie Hammond and Kaitlin Staines.

After the Lions (0-2) lost in straight sets in all six singles matches in the opener, Sickle gave UNA its best showing of the day in singles play in the second match. The sophomore from Jackson, Tenn., posted a 6-2 win in the opening set before falling 7-5 to even the match. Tennessee's Kylie Duckworth then secured the win with a 10-7 victory in the tiebreaker.

The UNA women will host Alabama A&M on Feb. 3. Match time is set for 5 p.m. at the Athletic Club of Alabama in Huntsville.

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Players Mentioned

Claudia Arroyo: 5' 7"; Senior

Elise Sickle: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Sydney Flesch: 5' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Claudia Arroyo
: 5' 7"; Senior

Elise Sickle
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Sydney Flesch
: 5' 4"; Freshman