Experienced Nova Southeastern Team Takes Down Women's Tennis

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The St. Mary's Women's Tennis team ran into a very experienced Nova Southeastern squad on Thursday, falling 7-0.
 
Nine of the 11 student-athletes on the Sharks roster are at least juniors, which has helped them to a #3 ranking in the ITA Division II poll.
 
"We ran into a solid team and we did not play too badly," Head Coach Bill Macom said. "We had some opportunities for momentum changes on the deuce points but didn't convert enough. It's a non-conference match so we just have to learn from it and bring it into our Lone Star Conference matches."
 
With weather threatening in the area, the teams decided to begin with singles play instead of the normal format with doubles first.
 
Singles flights two through six were all decided in straight sets in favor of the Sharks. Senior Ashley Penshorn (Montgomery, Texas), ranked 12th in today's ITA rankings, won the first set against #10 Julie Razafindranaly, but dropped the next two, 6-2, 10-4.
 
All three doubles teams faltered against Nova Southeastern, with the No. 1 team of sophomore Elena Munoz (Corregidora, Queretaro, Mexico) and senior Alice Thane (Elloughton, East Yorkshire, England) losing by only one break, 6-4.
 
The Rattlers close out the road trip on Saturday against #45 Florida Southern. The match is scheduled for noon in Satellite Beach.