Kotova Seals AU Tennis Midnight Win at Oberlin

ASHLAND, Ohio – The AU women's tennis team served up its spring season last Sunday (Feb. 20) with a win at Mercyhurst, 7-2. On Thursday (March 3), the Eagles earned a marathon 5-4 win at Oberlin that will carry the squad into its spring break trip at Hilton Head, S.C. that begins Sunday (March 6) against Slippery Rock.

The Eagles (12-5) and Yeowomen (4-6) played for more than five-and-a-half hours and the Eagles came out the winner.

Freshman Kira Kotova (Moscow, Russia) topped Carolyn Ball, 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-0, in the final match, which ended around midnight. The teams were knotted, 4-4, until the final match was decided.

Ashland trailed Oberlin after doubles play, 2-1. Sophomore Erika Sullivan (Broadview Hts., Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview-Hts.) and Kotova took the only win in doubles play from the third spot.

Oberlin won at first and second singles, but the Eagles won the final four singles spots. Junior Paige Cooper (Mansfield, Ohio/Lexington) beat Finley Gates, 6-1, 6-1 at third singles. Senior Corinne Pasley (Livonia, Mich./Adlaie Stevenson) beat Preeya Smith in three sets, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2, at fourth singles. At sixth singles, senior Alex Ware (Plymouth, Mich/Senior) swept Emily Thebaut, 6-1, 6-1.

Ware's win gave the Eagles a chance, tying it at 4-4, before Kotova's clutch three-set win.

The Eagles head to Hilton Head, S.C. for their spring break trip, which starts on Sunday (March 6) against Slippery Rock. AU will also play Brevard, Charleston, Northern Kentucky and IUP on the trip.

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