DANVILLE, Va. — Seconds after her opponent's return sailed long, Averett University women's tennis senior
Inka Zeilstra found herself in the middle of a celebration as her teammates danced around her. Zeilstra battled back from a first set loss to win in three sets, clinching Averett's 5-4 comeback win over Southern Virginia University on Tuesday afternoon at the Averett Tennis Courts.
With the victory, Averett (11-4, 8-0 USA South) remains unbeaten in East Division conference play heading into Saturday's regular season finale showdown at Methodist University, the league's only other unbeaten team.
However, to get to that point, Averett had to grind out a win against Southern Virginia (8-3, 5-2 USA South). It didn't come easy. Averett won its No. 1 doubles matchup as freshmen
Maxence Lippens and
Linnea Sjostrom Krook pulled out an 8-6 victory. The Knights, however, won the other two doubles matches to take a 2-1 advantage into singles play.
Sophomore
Paula Ryhsen evened the score, 2-2, with her quick win in straight sets at No. 3 singles. Southern Virginia answered by winning No. 1 and No. 2 singles to put the Knights ahead 4-2 — only needed one more win at the final three singles matches left to be played.
Junior
Alejandra Garcia took care of business at No. 6 singles, winning 6-4, 6-1. Freshman
Keira Gunning did her part as well, winning 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), at No. 5 singles. Meanwhile, at No. 4 singles, Zeilstra lost her opening set 6-4. The senior rallied back to win the next set 6-1 and force a deciding third set. Zeilstra gained momentum early, jumping ahead 3-0 early. Southern Virginia's Jillian Arnold didn't go away quietly and closed the gap. Zeilstra finished her off with a 6-3 win in the third to seal the match for a crucial conference victory for the Cougars in their home finale.
Averett's victory clinches a top-two finish in the USA South East Division with a chance to win the regular season crown Saturday.
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