The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Pummel MTSU 6-1 In Women's Tennis
3/11/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
March 11, 2001
The 71st-ranked UAB women's tennis team took five of six singles matches as it picked up its 12th-straight win Sunday, defeating 61st-ranked MTSU 6-1 at the Brook Highland Racquet Club.
With the win, the Blazers improve to 12-0 (3-0 in C-USA) on the season. MTSU drops to 6-9.
UAB, playing its last match in a five-match homestand, began the afternoon by taking the doubles point. After falling to MTSU at the no. 1 doubles spot, the Blazers won at the no. 2 and no. 3 spots to take two of three doubles matches.
In singles action, Mirela Vladulescu, the 17th-ranked player in the nation, cruised to a 6-0, 6-3 triumph over Manon Kruse in the no. 1 spot. Four other Blazer players recorded straight-set victories: Monika Schmid at no. 2 by a 6-3, 7-5 count, Margaux Melsheimer at no. 3 by a score of 7-5, 6-4, Femke deBoer at no. 5 with a 6-3, 7-6 count and Tanja Pflugfelder at no. 6 by a score of 6-3, 6-1.
MTSU's lone point of the match came at no. 4 singles, where UAB's Natascha Immele fell to Carien Venter 6-2, 6-2.
"Some of the girls have been playing their best tennis of the spring season within the last week. It was especially pleasing to see us win the doubles point although we lost at no. 1 doubles. We usually rely on our no. 1 doubles team to win, but it was nice to see that Mirela and Monika don't have to carry that burden and can rely on their teammates to pick up the slack if they are having a bad day. I am proud of all the girls," said coach Mert Ertunga.
The Blazers travel next to Arkansas March 16-17 for a non-conference weekend playing UALR on Saturday and Arkansas State on Sunday.
UAB (T-#71) vs. Middle Tennessee (#61)
Mar. 11, 2001 at Birmingham, Ala.
SINGLES
1. Mirela Vladulescu (#17) vs. Manon Kruse UAB 6-0, 6-3
2. Monika Schmid vs. Tanja Bucheim UAB 6-3, 7-5
3. Margaux Melsheimer vs. Michaela Gridling UAB 7-5, 6-4
4. Natascha Immele vs. Carien Venter MTSU 6-2, 6-2
5. Femke deBoer vs. Stacy Varnell UAB 6-3, 7-6
6. Tanja Pflugfelder vs. Niger Kaur UAB 6-3, 6-1
DOUBLES
1. Vladulescu/Schmid vs. Kruse/Varnell MTSU 9-7
2. deBoer/Melsheimer vs. Gridling/Bucheim UAB 8-2
3. Immelle/Pflugfelder vs. Venter/Weirich UAB 8-5
UAB (12-0) 6, MTSU 1
