UCA finishes 6th in GSC tennis

HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The University of West Florida became only the third team in Gulf South Conference history to win three consecutive women's tennis championships, defeating Valdosta State, 5-2, in the finals at Lincoln Memorial University.

The University of Central Arkansas finished sixth.

After the first two doubles matches were split, the Lady Argonauts gained a 2-1 edge heading into singles play as Andreea Petrisor and Ilonia Szalai held off Julianne Woll and Carrie Pikey in the tie-breaker to win at No. 3, 9-7. UWFs Josie Accardo defeated Pikey, 6-4, 6-1 to clinch UWFs fifth title in six years.

Fifth place

North Alabama 6, UCA 3

DOUBLES: Heather Knight-Mary Hamner, UCA, def. Elena Torres-Sally Buckman, UNA, 8-2; Biana Hill-Jennifer Davis, UNA, def. Kelly Hart-Kendra Blackmonm UCA, 8-4; Shalia Johnson-Camilla Prado, UNA, def. Lynley Nix-Christina Krause, UCA, 8-4

SINGLES: Elena Torres, UNA, def. Heather Knight, UCA, 6-4, 6-0; Mary Hamner, UCA, def. Bianca Hill (UNA), 6-4, 6-4; Sally Buckman, UNA, def. Kelly Hart, UCA, 6-1, 6-0; Shalia Johnson, UNA, def. Lynley Nix, UCA, 6-1, 6-3; Kendra Blackmon, UCA, def. Jennifer Davis, UNA, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6; Camilla Prada, UNA, def. Lindsey Yawn, UCA, 6-4, 0-6, 6-4.

UCA 5, West Georgia 4

DOUBLES: Heather Knight-Mary Hamner, UCA, def. Eva Andrews-Marla Simpson, UWG, 8-3; Ashley Wheeler-Robin Sloan, UWG, def. Kelly Hart-Kendra Buckmon,UCA, 8-4; Lynley Nix/Christina Krause, UCA, won by default.

SINGLES: Eva Andrews, UWG, def. Heather Knight, UCA, 6-1, 6-3; Mary Hamner, UCA, def. Marla Simpson, UWG, 6-3, 6-3; Ashley Wheerler, UWG, def. Kelly Hart, UCA, 6-0, 6-1; Robin Sloan, UWG, def. Lynley Nix, UCA, 7-5, 6-4; Kendra Blackmon, UCA, def. Tonya Crawford, UWG, 6-l.

Valdosta State 5, UCA 0

DOUBLES: Aparna Sreenivasan-Verena Hofman, VSU, def. Heather Knight-Mary Hamner, UCA, 8-3; Karin Jensen-Petra Gromes,VSU, def. Kelly Hart-Kendra Blackmon, UCA, 8-5; Carrie Pikey-Christina Clegg, VSU, def. Lynley Nix-Christina Krause, UCA, 8-1.

SINGLES: Petra Gromes, VSU, def. Kelly Hart, UCA, 6-0, 6-0; Verena Hofmann, VSU, def. Lynley Nix, UCA, 6-0, 6-1.