Golden Eagles Finish 1-1, Claim Third at NAIA Regional Tournament
TULSA, Okla. (April 26, 2013) - The Golden Eagles claimed third place at the NAIA Unaffiliated Group regional tournament, falling in a hard-fought 5-2 match against Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) before breezing to a 5-0 sweep over the University of the Southwest (N.M.) today at the Tennis Complex on the campus of the University of Tulsa.
In the first match of the day, John Brown took on Our Lady of the Lake and boasted a 2-1 lead after doubles' play. Despite an early exist in the first flight, JBU battled back as Tiffany Prieb and Kellie Mowrer grabbed No. 2 by an 8-2 score, followed by another convincing win, 8-4, this time by Krizana Saucedo and Marissa Podgorski at No. 3. Both pairs of players upped their doubles' records to 3-1 in the 2013 season.
In singles' play, things proved more difficult, as the Saints took the first two flights quickly, regaining the lead, 3-2. The Golden Eagles wouldn't go quietly, however, as Mowrer battled back from a 7-5 defeat in the first set to claim a 7-5 victory of her own in the second. The tiebreaker was a back-and-forth affair, one that Mowrer would eventually drop, 10-7.
Facing elimination from the NAIA Tennis National Championships, Saucedo and Prieb were both battling in their singles' matches, respectively. Before Prieb could finish her match, which lasted well over 90 minutes, Saucedo lost at No. 5 by a final of 7-5, 6-3, handing the Saints a 5-2 victory. Although suffering the loss, Saucedo finishes the 2013 campaign as the lone Golden Eagle with an above .500 record in singles' play, finishing at 6-5 overall.
Later in the evening, John Brown battled Southwest in the third place game. Due to team disciplinary issues, the Mustangs only fielded four players for the match. The Golden Eagles wouldn't allow the opportunity to end the season on a win to elude them as Leah Engstrom and Michelle Caneday finished their careers with a victory, notching an 8-2 win at No. 1 doubles, pushing the tandem's record to 3-8 on the season.
Mowrer and Prieb made no mistake at No. 2, dispatching Southwest by a final of 8-6, essentially handing JBU the 5-0 victory as the Mustangs would have to default at the third doubles' flight and a singles flight.
Mowrer finished the season boasting the best doubles' record, landing at 6-7 while she and Prieb captured the best percentage as a doubles' team, winning four of the five matches the duo played together.
The Golden Eagles finish the season with a record of 4-9, one win shy of its 2012 mark, but two losses fewer than last season.
