The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Middle Tennessee State
Women's Tennis Shuts Out Middle Tennessee
2/28/2010 | Women's Tennis
OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 26 nationally ranked Ole Miss women's tennis team shut out Middle Tennessee State 7-0 Sunday afternoon at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center in their first outdoor match of the season.
The Rebels improved to 5-1 on the year as they get ready to open conference play next weekend at home against Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
With sophomore Kristi Boxx sitting out this match, the doubles lineup changed, but the results were the same. The Rebels swept all three matches to take the early 1-0 lead. Sophomore Pippa Reakes saw her first dual match action, playing No. 3 doubles with junior Karen Nijssen. The pair won 8-1 to clinch the point.
Ole Miss didn't face much of a challenge in singles, winning all six contests in straight sets. Laura van de Stroet got things started with a 6-1, 6-0 win against MTSU's Marietta Bigus at No. 4 singles. Nijssen made it 3-0, cruising 6-1, 6-2 versus Blue Raider Carla Nava at No. 1.
Abby Guthrie made it official by downing Natalie Araya 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2, to clinch the Rebels' third straight shutout and fourth of the season.
"Overall I thought we played really well," head coach Mark Beyers said. "Middle Tennessee came in 5-1 and had a pretty close match with Marshall yesterday, and we beat them pretty decisively. I am very happy with how we played.
"We talked to the girls about using this match to get ready to face Vanderbilt. After having played this match, they'll be better prepared on Friday."
Gabby Rangel, Connor Vogel and Soledad Podlipnik all finished off the sweep with wins at five, three and six in that order.
Afterwards, Nijssen talked about the team's first outdoor match and getting ready for conference play.
"The conditions were great today." Nijssen said. "The weather was perfect and there was no wind. We feel good about where we are, but we know the SEC is always a challenge. We'll have to bring our best game."
The Rebels will open SEC play Friday at 3 p.m. against Vanderbilt, followed by a Noon match against Kentucky on Sunday.
#26 Ole Miss 7
#75 Middle Tennessee 0
DOUBLES
1. Vogel/Rangel (OM) def. Bigus/Araya (MTSU) 8-4
2. Guthrie/van de Stroet (OM) def. Nava/Nomoto (MTSU) 8-3
3. Nijssen/Pippa Reakes (OM) def. Dachos/Coffey (MTSU) 8-1
SINGLES
1. Karen Nijssen (OM) def. Carla Nava (MTSU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Abby Guthrie (OM) def. Natalie Araya (MTSU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Connor Vogel (OM) def. Yuiri Nomoto (MTSU) 6-2, 6-1
4. Laura van de Stroet (OM) def. Marietta Bigus (MTSU) 6-1, 6-0
5. Gabby Rangel (OM) def. Taylor Coffey (MTSU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Soledad Podlipnik (OM) def. Alex Dachos (MTSU) 6-0, 6-3
