Saturday, April 15, 2006

MACON, Ga. - Atlantic Sun newcomer, East Tennessee State (23-4), captured its first A-Sun women's tennis championship over Stetson (17-10) on Saturday. The Bucs notched a 5-0 win and did not allow a point to a conference opponent all season.

ETSU gained control early and never looked back as Olya Batsula and Tara Byrne took down Samantha Lange and Danielle Mollman, 8-2, opening doubles' play. Sylwia Ziolkowska and Masha Ilina defeated Anna Leonenko and Catherine Canady clinching the first point for the Lady Bucs.

East Tennessee State recorded wins from its no. 1, 2, 3 and 6 singles' players to secure the championship. The Bucs dropped only one set during the entire tournament.

The Bucs garnered a bid to the NCAA Tournament with their victory today at the John Drew Smith Tennis Center.

Doubles
No. 1 Ziolkowska/Ilina (ETSU) def. Lennenko/Canady (Stetson) 8-5
No. 2 Batsula/Byrne (ETSU) def. Lange/Mollman (Stetson) 8-2
No. 3 Volobueva/Knight (ETSU) vs. Milovanovic/St. Claire (Stetson) DNF

Singles
No. 1 Masha Ilina (ETSU) def. Mili Milovanovic (Stetson) 6-1, 6-4
No. 2 Olya Batsula (ETSU) def. Maja Miladinovic (Stetson) 6-1, 6-3
No. 3 Sandie Knight (ETSU) def. Marina Levin (Stetson) 6-1, 6-0
No. 4 Elena Volobuera (ETSU) vs. Anna Leonenko (Stetson)
No. 5 Tara Byrne (ETSU) vs. Catherine Canady (Stetson)
No. 6 Vita Moskaliova (ETSU) def. Samantha Lange (Stetson) 6-2, 6-1

Release courtesy of Mercer Athletic Communications

Post-Match Audio

ETSU Head Coach Steve Brooks

on winning first championship in a new conference

on team's performance

ETSU junior Masha Ilina

on the tournament

on playing Stetson in the final

Stetson Head Coach Sasha Schmid

on team's tournament run

on departing seniors