Women's Tennis Continues to Fight Injury Bug in Georgia

Macon, Ga. - - The Cumberland women's tennis team again fought through injuries, battling (RV) Brenau to a tough 4-3 loss, but they ultimately ran out of gas by the end of the night, falling 4-1 to Reinhardt.

The doubles point of the first match had its usual pressure surrounding it, as the Phoenix needed to win both matches to take the point because they were still playing a woman down. Kaede Hatano and Valentina Mendez made things dramatic at no.2, taking their match to a tiebreak, before running away with the win and not dropping a point, 7-6 (7-0).

Maria Arbelaez and Lara Zugasti also played a tight match, but could not pull out the victory, falling 7-5 to Brenau.

Arbelaez quickly regathered herself and won in a third set tiebreak at the top singles spot, 7-5, 6-7 (6-8), 10-5. Hatano carried her momentum over from doubles and took down her opponent in strong fashion, 6-2, 6-2.

At no. 5 singles, Alexandra Leisibach continued to find her form, taking the third and final point for the Phoenix, winning 6-3, 7-5. That would be all the fortune that went the Phoenix's way though, as they were already fighting against the clock after dropping the doubles point and no. 6 singles.

Brenau pulled away with victories of Valentina Mendez at no. 2 singles, 6-1, 6-1, and Lara Zugasti at no. 4, 7-5, 6-1.

The second match of the day was against Reinhardt University, and the Phoenix fought hard, but again struggled to find their form, losing 4-1. This weekend's series of matches have been less than desirable for Cumberland as the women's team has struggled with staying healthy, all while playing ranked talent each day.

The Phoenix will have one more shot this weekend as they face off against the (RV) College of Coastal Georgia tomorrow morning. Doubles is scheduled to start at 9:00 AM.

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Players Mentioned

Maria Arbelaez: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Lara Zugasti: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Alexandra Leisibach: 5' 3"; Junior

Kaede Hatano: 5' 7"; Sophomore

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

Valentina Mendez
: 5' 7"; Freshman