Women’s Tennis: Ragin’ Cajuns Wrap Up Fall Season At Golden Eagle Invitational

Matt Sullivan, Asst Sports Information Director, October 29, 2013

Louisiana to open 2014 portion of schedule on Feb. 1 against Jackson State

Contact: Jeff Schneider

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns women’s tennis team wrapped up its fall schedule this past weekend as they competed in the Golden Eagle Invitational on the campus of Southern Miss.

The Ragin’ Cajuns saw several individual highlights in the two-day event that featured Louisiana, host USM, Nicholls State, ULM, Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana and Jackson State. Senior Sandra Ahlqvist claimed a pair of three-set victories in three matches during the weekend for the Ragin’ Cajuns while Melissa Burckhartt earned two wins in singles play before teaming with Juliette Clement to claim a pair of victories in doubles action.

Also in doubles, Nicole Breaux and Nelo Phiri won two of three matches finishing the tournament for the Cajuns with a victory.

"During fall tournament play we want to get as many matches as possible to help us understand the pressures of competition," head coach Greg Harkins said. "We will take these experiences and work towards becoming complete players within the team. The important lesson is learning to manage the lifestyle of a student-athlete, being accountable as an individual and having integrity within the team.

"We are committed to these principals and if we work hard through the process, the results will be favorable."

Ahlqvist, competing in the White Draw, earned a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (6) victory over Petya Simeonova of Northwestern State before defeating SLU’s Margaux Kaltenbacher, 6-4, 7-5.

Burckhartt, competing in the bottom half of the draw, rallied for a 0-6, 6-4, 7-5 win over Kaltenbacher before defeating USM’s Karina Gurgenyan, 6-0, 6-2. Burckhartt and Clement, competing in the Orange Draw, opened play with an 8-4 victory over Isla Brock and Emma Kranendonk of Northwestern State before claiming an 8-6 decision over Kathrin Waidner and Lisa Noderer of Southern Miss.

Competing in the Yellow Draw, Breaux and Phiri earned a hard-fought 9-8 victory over Regi Nychytailova and Renee Villarreal of SLU before defeating USM’s Carolin Drescher and Alex Kitchen, 8-5.

Louisiana will open the 2014 portion of its schedule on Feb. 1, 2014 when it plays host to Jackson State in a 2 p.m. contest at Cajun Courts.

For info and updates on women’s tennis follow the team on twitter @CajunW10ns