Herd Tennis Takes Close Dual over Murray State, 4-3

HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – The Marshall University tennis team (4-2) overcame Murray State (1-1), 4-3, to conclude a pair of home duals this weekend on Saturday afternoon at the 7827 Tennis Center.

"They are all tough and they all have their moments, every match," Marshall head tennis coach John Merce said. "This is Gabrielle's first full year being in the lineup. She really competed well, had a few chances to win it, but lost it and fought hard to get back into it. She showed the competitive spirit and that's what we need. We needed every to go out and compete hard and that's what we got today."

Emma Vanderheyden and Liz Stefancic were dominant to open the competition in doubles, winning 6-1 on court one. However, Murray State took the point from doubles after winning 6-4 on both courts two and three.

Stefanic carried the momentum into her singles play and defeated Murray State's Sarah Bureau, 6-2, 6-0, for the first point of the day for the Thundering Herd on court two. Vanderheyden followed suit with a win on court one, 6-4, 6-3, to give Marshall a 2-1 advantage overall in the contest.

The Racers tied it at two after Staysa Sharapova won on court four, 7-5, 6-4. Madi Ballow overcame a challenge from Murray State's Natalie Slezapova, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, to restore the Herd advantage. Marit Kreugel tied it up after winning, 6-3, 6-3, on court five. Gabrielle Clairotte won the decisive point on court six to give Marshall the victory, 6-2, 7-6.

RESULTS VS. MURRAY STATE
Doubles
Court No. 1 Emma Vanderheyden/Liz Stefancic (MAR) def. Gabrielle Geolier/Natalie Slezakova (MUR) 6-1
Court No. 2 Annika Pschorr/Stasya Sharapova (MUR) def. Madi Ballow/Sophia Hurrion (MAR) 6-4
Court No. 3 Sarah Bureau/Marit Kreugel (MUR) def. Aisling McGrane/Gabrielle Clairotte (MAR) 6-4

Singles
Court No. 1 Emma Vanderheyden (MAR) def. Annika Pschorr (MUR) 6-4, 6-3
Court No. 2 Liz Stefancic (MAR) def. Sarah Bureau (MUR) 6-2, 6-0
Court No. 3 Madi Ballow (MAR) def. Natalie Slezapova (MUR) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
Court No. 4 Stasya Sharapova (MUR) def. Sophia Hurrion (MAR) 7-5, 6-4
Court No. 5 Marit Kreugel (MUR) def. Aisling McGrane (MAR) 6-3, 6-3
Court No. 6 Gabrielle Clairotte (MAR) def. Gabrielle Geolier (MUR) 6-2, 7-6

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,1,4,3,5,6)

UP NEXT
Marshall goes on the road to Dayton, Ohio, to play Dayton on Saturday with the start time scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

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Herd Tennis Takes Close Dual over Murray State, 4-3

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Players Mentioned

Madi Ballow

Gabrielle Clairotte

Liz Stefancic

Emma Vanderheyden

Marshall University Athletics