CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's tennis continued its electric start to the season as the Islanders cruised to a 7-0 win in their Southland Conference home opener versus Southeastern Louisiana Saturday at Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center.
The Islanders (11-0, 2-0) did not drop a single set in the match, rolling past the Lions (8-4, 4-1) who entered the match undefeated in Southland play and atop the conference standings.
QUICK DOUBLES START
As they have all season long, the Islanders jumped out to an early lead by winning the doubles point. The Blue and Green is now 9-1 in doubles action, as the Islanders set the tone early for Saturday's shutout.
The young pairing of sophomore Hortense Boscher and freshman Alexandra Belle opened up the scoring for the Islanders. Playing at No. 3, the all-French duo did not allow their Southeastern Louisiana foes to take a single game in the doubles set, cruising to a 6-0 win.
Not long after, the senior co-captains Celia Rodriguez and Maider Martin clinched the first point of the match. The Islanders' No. 2 pairing led from the outset and sealed the doubles point with a 6-2 win. The veteran duo moved their mark to 8-2 on the season.
STRAIGHT SET SINGLES
The Islanders would continue their domination in singles play, as all six players claimed straight set victories in the shutout.
Martin would be the first to wrap up her singles match as the senior made it a 2-0 lead for the Blue and Green. The senior took down Ceci Mercier 6-2, 6-1, to begin the straight-set pattern in singles. The win edges Martin's record to 8-1 on the season and marks her 51st career victory, just two shy of tying Stefania Nicolae for third all-time in Islanders history.
At No. 2, Jelena Dzinic move the match score to 3-0 with a two-set victory over Dalina Dahlmans. Dzinic rolled in short order with a 6-2, 6-0 win to improve to 6-1 on the season in singles action and a perfect 3-0 playing at No. 2.
The match-clinching point would come moments later courtesy of Judit Vives. Playing in her usual No. 3 spot in the order, the junior made it 4-0 with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Dany Raygadas.
Playing out the remaining matches in accordance with Southland Conference rules, the Islanders would wrap up the sweep on courts No. 4, 6 and 1. The senior Rodriguez would make it 5-0 as she pulled with two wins of tying Sandra Burges as the winningest Islander in program history.
Rodriguez needed a big first-set rally after falling behind out of the gate. Down 4-1, Rodriguez won six of the next seven games in the set to win 7-5. The veteran carried that momentum into the second set where she took a 6-2 set to improve her career record to 60-7 on the Island.
Boscher and Kerry Galhos wrapped up the sweep as Boscher won a hard-fought match at the top of the order, 6-4, 6-1. Just seconds later, Galhos clinched the No. 6 match 6-4, 6-2.
With the perfect sweep, the Islanders improve to 50-3 in singles play this season a winning percentage of .943.
QUICK TURNAROUND
The Islanders will be back in action in less than 24 hours as the Blue and Green host New Orleans in a men's and women's doubleheader Sunday at 11 a.m.
MOORE THOUGHTS
On the Islanders' effort today…
"This group did a very good job of controlling the things they could control today. They played with tremendous energy and spirit and really made a lot good choices early in the match to really set the tone."
On the team mentality…
"We've been talking about how we play like such a unified wolfpack on the road. We need to bring that same us against the world mentality at our home matches as well. I thought we really did that today."
On yet another sweep…
"To win 7-0 today against a very good team, I've got to say I'm very proud of that and didn't expect that. Sotuheastern Louisiana and head coach Jason Hayes have produced one of the longest tenured and sustained success programs and I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and this program."
On the quick turnaround…
"We have a tough, tough battle against another undefeated team tomorrow New Orleans. We had a very close match with them last season, so being proud of today can last about another hour and then we have to get ready for another intense battle tomorrow."
