Lady Rebels smash Middle Tennessee

Smith Wyckoff
dm Staff writer

The University of Mississippi's women's tennis team began the spring 2000 season Monday with a victory over Middle Tennessee State University. The No. 7 nationally ranked Lady Rebels earned a 7-2 victory at the Women's Sports Complex. This win included a 6-0 shutout in singles duel match play.
In No. 1 singles, Celeste Frey, ranked No. 6 nationally, defeated Tina Hojnik 6-1, 6-4. Ivona Mihailova made short work of Katja Kuehner, as the No. 14 nationally ranked Lady Rebel won the match 6-1, 6-1. In No. 3 singles, Mariana Eberle was victorious against Tanja Buchheim 6-1, 7-5.
Sophomore Alesya Ignatieva overcame Lady Raider Michaela Gridling 6-3, 6-2 in No. 4 singles. Irena Mihailova soundly defeated Stacy Varnell in No. 5 singles 6-1, 6-0 and Camilla Gould finished off the sweep of singles matches with a victory over Niger Kaur 6-2, 6-4.
"It was good to get started in our 2000 Spring duel match playing season. I was very happy with our performance at singles competition," said women's head coach Jerry Montgomery.
Middle Tennessee State's Lady Raiders were able to win two of the three doubles matches. The No. 3 nationally ranked team of Eberle and Frey were able to gain the No. 1 doubles victory for Ole Miss after a grueling match 9-7. In No. 2 doubles, the Lady Raider team of Buchheim and Kuehner were able to defeat Ivona and Irena Mihailova 8-4. MTSU's other victory came when Varnell and Sarah Grohnert were victorious over the Lady Rebel team of Ignatieva and Gould.
"To be honest, we could have played better in doubles," Montgomery said.
"We had a let down. We're going to learn from it and I guarantee when we play on Saturday there will be a difference. I particularly appreciate all the fans that came out today. It was a great turnout and we drew strength from that."
The Lady Rebels return to the courts this Saturday as they play Stetson in Oxford.