State kicked off its third consecutive win by taking the doubles point with shutout triumphs on courts 1 and 3. The No. 54-ranked MSU duo of Alexandra Perper and Naomi Tran posted an 8-0 victory at the No. 1 position against Soledad Arroyo and Kristina Martin of New Orleans. Petra Ferancova and Georgiana Patrasc paired up at the No. 3 position to secure the doubles point, defeating Paula Sanchez and Victoria Svennson of UNO, also in an 8-0 decision. Lien Van Geel and Sarai Flores held a 6-2 lead against the Lady Privateers’ Fanny Benincasa and Marta Sans before play was suspended on court 2.

 

Singles competition began with a default on court two by MSU’s Patrasc due to an ankle injury at the end of the first set, which she lost 6-4 to UNO's Martin, tying the overall score at 1-1. But that would be the only point MSU would surrender on the afternoon.

 

Competition continued as Perper and Tran posted two quick wins for the Lady Bulldogs. Perper notched a 6-4, 6-1 triumph against UNO’s Sans at the top spot. Flores raised MSU to a 3-1 lead, defeating Svennson of the Lady Privateers in a 6-2, 6-4 decision on court 6.

 

Freshman Lien Van Geel clinched MSU’s third win of the season with a three-set win at the No. 4 position. Van Geel took the first set 6-2, but dropped the second set to UNO’s Benincasa 7-5. The native of Tessenderlo, Belgium, secured the Lady Bulldog win by breezing in the third set 6-1.

 

Ferancova raised the MSU lead to 5-1 with a 6-3, 7-5 win against Lady Privateers freshman Sanchez at the No. 5 position. Tran completed the successful MSU day, defeating Arroyo of UNO on court 3 6-4, 4-6, 1-0(6).

 

“We started off with excellent energy and did a great job earning the 1-0 lead in what seemed like record time. I felt like we lost our concentration and let them in the match in singles,” said head coach Daryl Greenan. “I give UNO credit for battling hard, but our girls did a nice job keeping their composure and closing out their matches with wins.”

 

The Lady Bulldogs will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 16, at 4 p.m. as they host the Cowgirls of Oklahoma State. Updates for Lady Bulldog tennis can be found at hailstate.com or through Twitter (@mstateWT).

 

MISSISSIPPI STATE 6, NEW ORLEANS 1

February 8, 2013 – Starkville, Miss.

 

DOUBLES – 


1. #54 Alexandra Perper/Naomi Tran (MSU) def. Soledad Arroyo/Kristina Martin (UNO) 8-0

2. Lien Van Geel/Sarai Flores (MSU) def. Fanny Benincasa/Marta Sans (UNO) 6-2, susp.

3. Georgiana Patrasc/Petra Ferancova(MSU) def. Paula Sanchez/Victoria Svennson (UNO) 8-0

 

SINGLES – 


1. Alexandra Perper (MSU) def. Marta Sans (UNO) 6-4, 6-1

2. Kristina Martin (UNO) def. Georgiana Patrasc (MSU) 6-4, ret.

3. Naomi Tran (MSU) def. Soledad Arroyo (UNO) 6-4, 3-6, 1-0(6)

4. Lien Van Geel (MSU) def. Fanny Benincasa (UNO) 6-2, 5-7, 6-1

5. Petra Ferancova (MSU) def. Paula Sanchez (UNO) 6-3, 7-5

6. Sarai Flores (MSU) def. Victoria Savennson (UNO) 6-2, 6-4

 

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3), Singles (2,1,6,4,5,3)