Written By: Ron Kotouch, PBA Sports Information Graduate Assistant

HILTON HEAD, S.C.- Coach Chi Ly’s women’s tennis squad couldn’t of ended their spring break trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina better than they did on Friday morning against the University of Charleston.  Coming into the match against the #36 ranked Golden Eagles, the Sailfish had won all five of their matches at Hilton Head.  Number six did not come easy against the Eagles, but the Fish scratched and clawed their way to a perfect spring break.

As it has been the case for most of the early season, Montse Ripoll and Olga Alekseeva got the Sailfish rackets rolling with a solid 8-5 #1 doubles victory over Charleston’s Bre Moyle and Neha Rana.  However, the Eagles would show they were up to the challenge of the streaking Sailfish, as Charleston took two out three matches in doubles play.  

Needing a solid performance to start off singles play, Montse Ripoll was able to answer the call for the Sailfish.  As usual, Ripoll was the thorn in the side of the opponent’s #1 player.  This time it was Bre Moyle that Ripoll defeated in doubles and singles play.  Ripoll hung on to win the #1 singles match 6-1, 5-7, 10-5 to start a Sailfish rally that couldn’t be overcome by the Eagles.  

Olga Alekseeva and Lina Rubiano followed Ripoll’s match with dominating 6-1, 6-1 performances over Neha Rana and Sarah Monsheimer of Charleston.  
Juniors Natalie Aleman and Katie Livesay were now in position to put the match away for the Sailfish and clinch a perfect spring break trip in the #4 and #6 singles matches.  
Aleman battled the Eagles Alyssa Hackworth to a third set tiebreak where Aleman was able to put the match away with a 10-5 victory in the third set.  Livesay followed Aleman with an impressive 7-5, 6-3 straight set victory of Charleston’s Alexa Kay.  

After beating the #36 ranked Eagles, the #38 ranked Sailfish should move up in the national rankings.  They completed a perfect six for six spring break trip and improved their season record to 11-5.  


(#38) PBA 6          (#36) University of Charleston 3


Doubles

1D. Ripoll/Alekseeva (PBA) def. Moyle/Rana (UC) 8-5
2D. Hacheorth/Kim (UC) def. Rubiano/Aleman (PBA) 8-3
3D. Monsheimer/Kay (UC) def.  Livesay/Artigas (PBA) 8-1

Singles

1. Ripoll (PBA) def. Moyle (UC) 6-1, 5-7, 10-5
2. Alekseeva (PBA) def. Rana (UC) 6-1, 6-1
3. Rubiano (PBA) def. Monsheimer (UC) 6-1, 6-1
4. Aleman (PBA) def. Hachworth (UC) 6-4, 2-6, 10-5
5.  Kim (UC) def. Domenech (PBA) 6-1, 6-1
6. Livesay (PBA) def. Kay (UC) 7-5, 6-3