Jan. 26, 2013

WACO, Texas. –   The No. 36 Florida State women’s tennis team suffered its first loss of the season (2-1) as they fell to the 15th ranked Baylor 4-1 on Saturday at the Hurd Tennis Center during the ITA Kick-off Weekend.

“Even though we came up short today I was still impressed with the way the girls competed,” head coach Jennifer Hyde said. “It makes a big difference playing shorthanded – it’s not an excuse, but regardless, the girls played hard. It was a tight match and we had opportunities in different spots, but we were on the wrong side of things today.”

With only five players eligible to compete, the Seminoles fielded a pair of doubles teams.  However, Ema Burgic and Victoria Kisialeva of Baylor defeated sophomores Mia Vriens and Daneika Borthwick 8-4 on court one.

That lone loss secured the doubles point for the Bears, giving them a 1-0 lead.  Junior Kristina Schleich and senior Francesca Segarelli played on court two against Alex Leatu and Megan Horter, but their match was halted with Segarelli and Schleich in front 7-5 just one point away from sealing the match at 40-0.

After defaulting court six to the Bears in singles, junior Krisitina Schleich fell 6-2, 6-4 on court five to Leatu , leaving the Seminoles down 3-0.

No. 100 Amy Sargeant put Florida State on the board with a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Kiah Generette on court four.  

Shortly after Sargeant’s win, 37th ranked Borthwick fell to No. 16 Burgic on court one 6-3, 6-2 giving the Bears a 4-1 win.  

Just as the match was stopped, No. 48 Vriens was leading on court two against Horter 6-3, 5-4 while No. 73 Segarelli was in in a battle on court three against Jordaan Sanford.  Sanford won the first set 6-4, however Segarelli was about to tie the second 4-4 when the match was called.

“Even though we lost today and won’t be playing for a spot at the final site, this team still has a lot to play for tomorrow,” Hyde said. “We have another opportunity against a ranked opponent, and another chance to get better. Tomorrow’s match is of equal importance, and I know this team will be ready.”

The Seminoles will play in the consolation round of the ITA Kick-off against either No. 21 Texas Tech or No. 29 Rice on Sunday at 11 a.m.

Stay tuned to Seminoles.com, twitter (FSU_wtennis) and Facebook for more information. 

Live stats throughout the weekend can be followed here: http://www.baylorbears.com/sports/w-tennis/livestats.html

In addition, a live blog can be seen here: http://www.baylorbears.com/blog/inmatch-tennis.html

No. 15 Baylor 4, No. 36 FSU 1

Doubles

1. Ema Burgic/Victoria Kisaleva def. Daneika Borthwick/Mia Vriens: 8-4
2. Francesca Segarelli/Kristina Schleich vs. Alex Leatu/Megan Horter: 7-5 DNF
3. Baylor wins by default

Singles

1. No. 16 Ema Burgic def. No. 37 Daneika Borthwick : 6-3, 6-2
2. No. 48 Mia Vriens vs. Megan Horter: 6-3, 5-4 DNF
3. Jordaan Stanford vs. No. 73 Francesca Segarelli: 6-4, 4-3 DNF
4. No. 100 Amy Sargeant def. Kiah Generette : 6-2, 6-4
5. Alex Leatu def. Kristina Schleich: 6-2, 6-4
6. Baylor wins by default

www.seminoles.com

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