Men’s and Women’s Tennis Teams Split Matches with Shorter University

Men’s and Women’s Tennis Teams Split Matches with Shorter University

Livingston, AL—The MMI Tigers and Lady Tigers split 5-4 matches with Shorter University on Friday afternoon at the Vaughan Tennis Complex on the University of West Alabama campus.  The women's team pulled out the win, while the men's team fell one match short.

The Lady Tigers scored only one point in doubles competition, but that one point was the difference between winning and losing the match to the Lady Hawks of Shorter University.  Alana Larcombe and Bridget Mayfield outlasted Ola Durzinski and Martina Radinovic, 8-6, to win that all-important point.

In singles play, Larcombe was bested in a three-setter by Durzinski, and Morgan Ingram had to retire early in her match against Julie Rinderknech. 

With the Lady Tigers down 4-1, Mayfield, Makenzie Ralston, Rebecca Lin, and Jordan Berrios buckled down and reeled off wins in the last four matches to produce the 5-4 win.

Bridget Mayfield dominated Melinda Chrun, 6-0, 6-1, at No. 3 singles, and Jordan Berrios overpowered Sadie Westberry at No. 6 singles, 6-1, 6-0.  With those two quick wins, the Lady Tigers were back in the match.

Makenzie Ralston and Rebecca Lin played their best tennis to date.  Ralston stormed back from huge deficits in each set to secure a 7-5, 7-5 win at No. 4 singles over Monika Gredzinski, and Lin clinched the match win for the Lady Tigers with her gritty 6-4, 7-5 win over Martina Radinovic at No. 5 singles.

"The girls played some strong tennis today," said MMI coach Charles Wright.  "Without any hesitation, I can say that this match was their best overall match of the year so far."

In the men's match, the Tigers tallied two forfeit wins at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles to take a 2-0 lead.  The Tigers retained their lead after doubles action when Andrew Carey and Harrison Foster squeaked out a 9-8 (5) win over Patrick Sanders and Mason Barnette at No. 2 doubles.  The Hawk duo of Jose Moreno-Monzano and Talha Zubair hammered MMI's No. 1 doubles team, 8-1.

With the Tigers still in the lead at 3-2, the Hawks' Moreno-Monzano and Zubair produced points at No. 1 and No. 2 singles to take a 4-3 lead.

The Tigers' Harrison Foster defeated Mason Barnette to knot the match at 4 points apiece. 

In a very well-played match, the Hawks' Patrick Sanders pulled out a 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 3 singles over the Tigers' Andrew Carey.

"I thought Andrew played some inspired tennis today," said Wright.  "That match went down to the wire, with both players playing outstanding tennis.  It was a match of the highest quality.  I told Andrew after the match that when you play like that, you don't really lose.  I was very proud of him and the rest of the boys."

The Lady Tigers return to MMI to host Central Alabama Community College at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25.  Both teams will then welcome Wallace State Community College-Hanceville to campus on Sunday, Feb. 26.  Match play is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.