Jan. 24, 2005

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - (Sunday, January 23, 2005) - It wasn't the result that Southeast Missouri State women's tennis coach Jay Pacelli had in mind, but he was proud in the way his team performed in their 6-1 loss to nationally ranked Arkansas-Little Rock at the Little Rock Racket Club Sunday morning. The youthful Redhawks played like veterans against a Little-Rock team that had numerous returnees.

Freshman Bryce Kristal (Pleasanton, Ca./Foothill) provided the lone victory. In her No. 1 singles match against Bindiya Parekh she dominated, winning in straight sets (6-2, 6-2).

"Bryce (Kristal) played superbly off the forehand and hit many outright winners," said Pacelli.

Drew Kristal (Pleasanton, Ca./Foothill) dropped her No. 2 match (6-3, 6-1) to Outi Jarvinen.

Senior Daniela Garcia (Lima, Peru) lost a three-set match to Jenna Hirdle in the No. 3 match. Garcia dropped the first set, 6-2 before rallying for a 6-0 second set victory. In the third and final set, Hirdle outlasted Garcia for the 6-2 set and match victory.

Ashley Hooper (Orangeville, Ontario) fell to Ellie Vicary (6-2, 6-2) in No. 4 singles.

Kimmy Anderson (Jackson, Mo./Jackson) dropped a two-set match to Rosario Negrete (6-1, 6-0) in No. 5 singles.

Kim Roberts (Victoria, British Columbia/Claremont Secondary) lost her No. 6 singles match to Katie Prokop (6-1, 6-0).

In the No. 1 doubles match the team of Bryce and Drew Kristal lost to the team of Laetitia Bourgeon and Prokop in a tiebreaker, 9-8 (7-3).

Garcia and Hooper lost in No. 2 doubles to Parekh and Negrete, 8-2.

Roberts and Miranda Petrea (Iuka, Ill./Salem) couldn't keep-up with Hirdle and Jarvinen in No. 3 doubles, losing 8-1.

"Overall it was a very promising start despite the outcome," said Pacelli. "Last season ULAR we won four games in the nine matches played. Today we were competitive in many of our matches against a very strong team."

"Success is just around the corner for Southeast tennis." said Pacelli. 

The Redhawks will next travel to Evansville, Indiana to face Missouri Valley Conference opponent University of Evansville on Saturday February, 5 at 5:00 P.M.