Full Results: http://gcbobcats.com/sports/wten/2016-17/files/GCW-3.xtg
By Angela Moryan, Sports Information Assistant
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – No. 19 Georgia College Women's Tennis (1-2, 0-1 PBC) dropped its first match of Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play Friday against No. 50 Young Harris College (5-1, 1-0 PBC).
The ladies started the day off strong, finishing doubles with a 2-1 advantage over the Mountain Lions. Both the Jena Kelly-Emma Niemi and Macy Polk-Hannah Serdinia pairs dominated against their Young Harris opponents. Kelly (Lawrenceville) and Niemi (Cumming) took their match in the number one slot with an easy 8-2 final. Polk (Powder Springs) and Serdinia (Suwanee) started in the two-spot and finished off their foes 8-4.
Kristen Jones (Marietta) and Camilla Negrini (Milan, Italy) lost their close battle in the third line. The match was close for the majority of play, but the Bobcat pair fell 8-6 before heading in to singles.
Polk took the first line in singles, facing Young Harris' Eva Castiglioni. Castglioni proved too much for Polk, topping the Bobcat 6-3, 6-2. Kelly was also unable to overcome Elin Rundcrantz of the Mountain Lions. Kelly lost her first set 6-1 but fought back to make the second set a close loss at 6-4.
The Bobcats answered the two losses with two huge victories in the third and fourth lines. Serdinia secured her win on the back court against Ana Rodriguez. The first set was a bit close in that fourth line, but Serdinia came out on top, 6-4. The Bobcat made quick work of her opponent in the second set, winning 6-2.
In the third spot, Negrini split her first two sets, 3-6 and 6-2, against Oriana Labaqui, but the Bobcat came back to secure a fourth Georgia College team point with a 6-3 win in the full set tiebreaker.
The Bobcats were up 4-3. With their backs against the wall, Young Harris responded with victories in the final two matches. Maria Puerta topped Niemi 6-3, 6-2 in the fifth spot, and Carol Quevedo beat Jones in the sixth spot, 6-0, 6-2.
The Bobcats hit the courts again tomorrow, Feb. 25, as they host the No. 34 University of North Georgia Nighthawks. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at @GCBobcats on social media for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.
