GC&SU Tennis teams shaping up

By Ryan Schomber
Staff Writer

A battle of two perennial powerhouses in NCAA II tennis became one-sided as the University of West Florida swept both Georgia College & State University teams.
In women’s play, GC&SU got off to a really good start as the No. 1 doubles team of Julia Roudkovsaya and Annika Persson paired up for a 8-3 victory over Sabine Krawietz and Hope Zwilling to remain unbeaten for the spring and moving their record to a perfect 6-0.
“Julia and Annika are our No.1 and No. 2. Both of them are playing really good so far this season,” said Head Coach Steve Barsby.
However, GC&SU could not get another win as the next two doubles teams would lose.
GC&SU (2-4) really has not played a terrific match yet.
“They have played up and down throughout the year,” said Barsby. “In some tournaments we have played okay, and then in others we had played good. Once the team can get everything together, they will be okay.”
After the team lost to West Georgia, they then turned around and beat Peach Belt rival UNC Pembroke.
Again Roudkovskaya and Persson won, which took their doubles record to an outstanding 7-0. This pair has been unstoppable for the entire spring. Karin Ramstrom and Jodie Lobsiger trailed 5-2 to UNCP’s Naomi Ellis and Fawn O’Leary at the No. 2 doubles, but the Bobcat duo won the next six games to pull out the tough 8-5 victory. Kremena Vassileva and Elizabeth Williams were also trailing but pulled together and came from behind for the 8-5 win.
“Kremena is playing really well right now,” said Barsby. “She is a decent player and has been playing a little above what I thought so far this year.”
Vassileva also won her singles match against UNC Pembroke to lead the charge. GC&SU also got wins from Roudkovskaya, Persson and Lobsiger, but GC&US’s Williams could not beat UNCP’s Shannon Gentry.
“If we are playing well, we have a shot at winning the Peach Belt,” said Barsby. “Everybody must be playing the best they can. We have a good shot at finishing top three for sure.”
The men have already had a lot to cheer about. The team this spring has already had a four game winning streak and continues to move up in the national rankings.
“Last year we finished like seventh in the conference, and this year I think it is
possible for the guys to finish fourth and fifth,” said Barsby.
Against West Florida, the men’s team dug a huge hole early after they lost three close doubles matches.
In singles play, Per Schartum-Hansen picked-up a 6-3, 6-4 win over Karim Alayli to get the only victory of the day.
“Per Schartum-Hansen and Chris McConnachie had been really playing good for us this season and have really come into a groove,” said Coach Barsby.
No. 1 player Thomas Karlsson lost 6-1, 6-2; he could not get a break. Mikael Petterson lost a really tough three set match 2-6, 6-1, 6-1. GC&SU could not get other win as Gorin, McConnachie and Beauregard all dropped their matches.
The Bobcat team is ready for what seems to be a very good conclusion to what has been a good year already.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Mar 8 2002. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry