No. 10-seeded Middle Tennessee women’s tennis opened the Conference USA women’s tennis championship with a close win over No. 7-seeded New Mexico State University.
In the two teams’ previous meeting, the Blue Raiders cruised to a 4-1 win over the Aggies. However, the matchup in the CUSA tournament came down to the last court.
MTSU got out to a hot start in doubles, with Rutuja Chaphalkar and Zora Koenig coasting to a 6-2 win over the Aggies’ duo of Anna Klimova and Montana Parkinson-Lubold. Lena Peyer and Sze Xuan Lim secured the first point for the Blue Raiders, 6-4, over Mariella Gelbke and Anna Pinaieva, giving Middle Tennessee a 1-0 lead.
“It’s about time,” assistant coach Scott Kathary said. “They [the Blue Raiders] really came together today and at the end of the season, they have really put together everything we’ve been working on, and we’re super proud of them.”
Coming off the doubles sweep, MTSU came out cold in singles play as the Aggies swept three of six singles matches. Despite the early struggles, Sara Conde got the ball rolling for the Blue Raiders, sweeping her opponent 6-4, 6-4 bringing the match score to 3-2 in favor of the Aggies
“We were all about to pass out, the girls on the sidelines and the girls playing,” Chaphalker said. “There were lots of highs and lows and lots of ups and downs, and we are so proud of them, they gave it their all.”
Shortly after, Lim squeaked by her singles game 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 to even the score 3-3. Then, with all eyes on Sadbaroy Kholdarova as she clinched her game 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, after an errant return by her opponent, securing the final point of the match and the win for Middle Tennessee.
“I feel so happy that I could clinch the win for this team,” Kholdarova said. “I’m proud of myself, and I’m proud of us for fighting to the end.”
With the win, Middle Tennessee moves on to the quarterfinals of the CUSA women’s tennis championship on Thursday at 1 p.m CDT at the Adams Tennis Complex versus No. 2 Florida International. The Panthers enter the matchup coming off a first round bye.
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