MARYVILLE, Tenn. - Maryville women's tennis team had a nailbiter of a match against Hanover College on Friday, February 27th that resulted in a season-defining 4-3 win. Through many twists, turns, and momentum shifts, the Scots clawed their way to a competitive and extremely tight win.
Doubles started with momentum shifts for both teams. At the start, it was all Maryville, with #1 pair Calliana Kondolios and Mckena Spencer cruising to a 6-2 victory. Unfortunately, the #2 position fell shortly after that, and after an extra 20 minutes Hanover managed to snatch the doubles point from the Scots.
Singles was even more of a push and pull battle between the Scots and Hanover, starting with #3 singles Jasmine Muecke easily handling her opponent, taking her match 6-2 6-4 and setting the overall score at 1-1. After Hanover managed to retake the lead 2-1, Kondolios roared back in her match after losing her first set 2-6 and being down 2-5 in the second set to win the set 7-5 and leading her match 1-0 in a third set before her opponent retired. With a Kondolios win, the score was evened again at 2-2, with #4, #5, and #6 now playing for a win.
Maryville was the first to benefit from a momentum shift with the Kondolios win, after Clara Plass won her match 6-4 6-2, playing tactical tennis to push Maryville up to 3-2 overall. After Hanover managed to again even the score at 3-3, #5 singles Maggie Hackney clinched the match for Maryville, grinding her way to a 6-3 1-6 6-4 energetic victory in an incredible atmosphere.
"I'm so proud of our girls. We have made significant progress even though we haven't gotten wins in the past," Head Coach Doug Corbett said. "Winning this match after losing the doubles was significant for the program."
"Maggie clinched the match when the team score was 3-3, and that's what is so great about college tennis!" Corbett added. "It came down to her and she delivered with her teammates cheering her to the finish line."
Maryville looks to continue their win streak against Pfeiffer University on Saturday, February 28th. They look to get a win in the series, which is currently led by Pfeiffer.
