Women's Tennis Picks Up First Win, Men Fall in Rain-Shortened Match
BETHEL, Kan. (March 9, 2013) - Leah Engstrom and Katie Bellinger picked up two wins in singles' play while Bellinger and Kellie Mowrer nabbed a default win in doubles' play, spurring the Golden Eagles to its first win of the 2013 campaign, a 5-2 victory over McPherson (Kan.). The men, however, fell to the No. 19 ranked Bulldogs, 5-1, as both matches played to five due to weather conditions in eastern Kansas.
The ladies competed well in doubles' play, picking up two of three points from the Lady Bulldogs. Despite falling by a slim 9-7 score, the duo of Leah Engstrom and Michelle Caneday turned in an impressive performance. Although down 1-0, JBU powered back to take the remaining two doubles spots as Tiffany Prieb and Krizana Saucedo nabbed a convincing 8-3 win at the second spot before Kellie Mowrer and Katie Bellinger earned the default victory at the third slot.
In singles play, the ladies were lead by Engstrom, Bellinger and Saucedo. Engstrom earned the No. 2 win by nabbing a 6-2, 6-2, win as Bellinger, competing unusually at the fifth slot, dominated en route to a 6-0, 6-0, victory. Saucedo claimed the default win in the final slot as Mowrer fell in the No. 4 spot, 6-3, 6-2.
The men faced a difficult challenge in its first matchup with a ranked NAIA opponent. JBU dropped all three doubles matches as Cameron McLendon and Luke Pascoe managed to pick up the only point at the first spot, dropping an 8-1 decision.
As the rain forced the squad to play to five, McLendon fell at the No. 1 singles spot, 6-2, 6-0, before Seong Jae Jo lost the fourth spot, 6-0, 6-1. However, the men picked up their lone point as Colton Cheek grabbed his first win at the sixth slot, earning a 6-4, 6-0, victory.
With the win, the ladies improve to 1-5 overall while the men fall to 0-6. The squads will return to action on Wednesday, March 13, as John Brown hosts its only home conference match against Oklahoma Baptist. Opening serves are set for 1:00 p.m.
