Women's Tennis Drops First Match of Georgia Tournament

Macon, Ga. - - The Cumberland women's tennis team took on the no. 9 ranked Middle Georgia State Knights, kicking off a long weekend of action. The Phoenix struggled to find a breakthrough, dropping their first matchup of the weekend 7-0.

Doubles went by all too quickly, only grabbing two total matches from all three games. At the number one spot Maria Arbelaez and Lara Zugasti managed to break serve a single time, but fell 6-1.

At no. 2, Valentina and Juanita Mendez dropped their set 6-0, but Alexandra Leisibach and Kaede Hatano were able to hold serve one time and eventually lost 6-1.

Singles action saw more success for the Phoenix, though they were unable to grab any points. Arbelaez took two in the first set, losing 6-2, 6-0. Next up, Valentina Mendez played the most competitive match of the day for CU, playing nearly two hours in a 6-3, 6-4 losing effort.

Lara Zugasti and Kaede Hatano both had admirable efforts in the three and fours spots, grabbing several games after being down by at least four games in a set. Zugasti lost 6-1,6-2, while Hatano fell 6-1,6-3.

Alexandra Leisibach fell 6-2 and 6-1 at the five spot, but Juanita Mendez was unable to finish her match, retiring in the first set while the score was 5-5.

Cumberland will play two matches tomorrow, first against no. 6 Ave Maria University at 9:00 AM and no. 3 Southeastern at 1:00 PM.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Maria Arbelaez: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Lara Zugasti: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Alexandra Leisibach: 5' 3"; Junior

Kaede Hatano: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Juanita Mendez: 5' 9"; Freshman

Valentina Mendez: 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Maria Arbelaez
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Lara Zugasti
: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Alexandra Leisibach
: 5' 3"; Junior

Kaede Hatano
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Juanita Mendez
: 5' 9"; Freshman

Valentina Mendez
: 5' 7"; Freshman