GADSDEN, Ala. – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s tennis team began league action Sunday with a convincing 7-0 win at Jacksonville State. The Colonels were picked third in the preseason OVC poll.

“I’m not sure we are seven better than Jacksonville State, so this was a great day for the Colonels,” EKU head coach Rob Oertel said. “I think winning the doubles point took a lot of pressure off the singles matches.”

Freshmen Melissa Gerritsen and Kristina Labeja clinched the doubles point by taking the No. 1 contest in a tight 8-6 decision.

In singles, Eastern (8-5, 1-0 OVC) won five of the six matches in straight sets including at No. 6 singles where freshman Carmen Rodriguez didn’t even drop a game.

Eastern Kentucky has a week off before continuing OVC action at Tennessee State on March 21.

Eastern Kentucky 7, Jacksonville State 0

Singles
1. Amandine Faouzi (EKU) def. Raisa Guasti (JSU)  7-6, 6-0
2. Kristina Labeja (EKU) def. Raphaela Lima (JSU)  6-1, 6-3
3. Saioa Oscoz (EKU) def. Rafaela Wenzel (JSU)   2-6, 6-1, (10-6)
4. Milena Poffo (EKU) def. Zoe Bizinos (JSU)   6-1, 6-2
5. Melissa Gerritsen (EKU) def. Danielle Kerindi (JSU)  6-1, 6-3
6. Carmen Rodriguez (EKU) def. Kelly Tomlin (JSU)  6-0, 6-0

Doubles
1. Gerritsen/Labeja (EKU) def. Guasti/Lima (JSU)  8-6
2. Bizinos/Wenzel (JSU) def. Faouzi/Oscoz (EKU)  8-4
3. Jimenez/Poffo (EKU) def. Kerindi/Tomlin (JSU)  8-0

Match Notes: Eastern Kentucky (8-5, 1-0 OVC); Jacksonville State (3-9, 0-2 OVC)
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 2, 1); Singles (6, 5, 4*, 2, 1, 3)