The Cajuns are now 6-4 on the year and 4-1 against teams from the Sun Belt.

"It was a nail biter but we pulled it out," said UL head coach Greg Harkins. "The team competed at a high level and I’m proud of the effort they put forth."

The Blue Raiders (4-4) registered the first point after winning the first two doubles matches.

"We were in tough situation, playing indoors on four courts," said Harkins. "After dropping the doubles point, 2-1, the girls didn’t get discouraged. We had a quick meeting to regroup and focus."

After the meeting, the Cajuns stormed back in the next three singles matches. Julie Mazinova made easy work of Yuiri Nomoto in the no. 1 spot, winning in straight sets 6-0, 6-1. It was the fifth straight win for Mazinova.

In no. 4 singles, Briggitt Marcovich fought through an injury and outplayed her opponent. For her efforts, she was able to walk away with an impressive 6-0, 6-4 win.

Milou Israel put the Cajuns up 3-1 with her 6-4, 7-6 win over Marietta Bigus at the no. 3 spot.  In the second set, Israel found herself down 4-5 and 5-6 but won the next two points and go on to claim the tiebreaker.

Middle Tennessee began to surge back as the final three matches were in progress with UL holding the 3-1 lead.

"There was a large home crowd in those close quarters," added Harkins. "Things were getting loud and rowdy."

MT’s Alex Dachos began the surge with a 6-4, 6-2 win against Sandra Alhqvist during the no. 6 contest to pull the Blue Raiders within one.

But the noise and pressure had no effect on sophomore Audrey Wooland. Playing at the no. 2 singles, Wooland fought through three sets to clinch the deciding point, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.

"It was a herculean effort from Audrey today," added Harkins. "She decided she wasn’t going to lose and tightened the screws. She showed poise and leadership in the win."

After dropping the second set, Wooland quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The advantage started to slip as Middle Tennessee’s Carla Neva fought back to 5-3. But Wooland pulled it together, striking winners to closeout the match, 6-3.

With the outcome already decided, MT’s Lexi Brand fought to three sets in the no. 5 matchup and was able to come away with a 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 win over Mia Gordon.

The Cajuns will stay in Tennessee and face no. 46 ULM on neutral ground on Sunday. First serve is set for noon at the Blue Raiders’ Buck Boldin Tennis Center.

Tennis Match Results
Louisiana vs Middle Tennessee
Mar 05, 2011 at Nashville, Tenn.
Louisiana 4, Middle Tennessee 3

 Singles competition
1. Mazinova, Julie (UL) def. Nomoto, Yuiri (MT) 6-0, 6-1
2. Wooland, Audrey (UL) def. Nava, Carla (MT) 7-6, 4-6, 6-3
3. Israel, Milou (UL) def. Bigus, Marietta (MT) 6-4, 7-6
4. Marcovich, Briggitt (UL) def. Maas, Lisa (MT) 6-0, 6-4
5. Brand, Lexi (MT) def. Gordon, Mia (UL) 2-6, 7-5, 7-5
6. Dachos, Alex (MT) def. Alhqvist, Sandra (UL) 6-4, 6-2

 Doubles competition
1. Wooland, Audrey/Mazinova, Julie (UL) def. Nomoto, Yuiri/Maas, Lisa (MT) 8-6
2. Brand, Lexi/Bigus, Marietta (MT) def. Israel, Milou/Marcovich, Briggitt (UL) 8-5
3. Nava, Carla/Dachos, Alex (MT) def. Gordon, Mia/Alhqvist, Sandra (UL) 8-5

Match Notes:
Louisiana 6-4
Middle Tennessee 4-4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,4,3,6,2,5)