Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Southern Utah
CSU tennis sweeps Southern Utah; Fluegge wins sixth straight
3/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Colorado State women's tennis team began its three-game spring-break trip Sunday, earning a 7-0 sweep over Southern Utah at Bally's in Las Vegas, Nev. The squad moves to 4-3 on the year.
The Rams (4-3, 0-0 MWC) earned their first sweep in over a year, with their last sweep coming on March 15, 2007 when they defeated Bucknell during last season's spring-break trip.
In doubles, the Rams mixed up the lineup, and it paid off. While the squad was unable to win a doubles match in last week's play against No. 38 Iowa, the Rams swept doubles for the second time this season. Sophomore Laura Neal and senior Hilary Tyler teamed up for the first time this season. The pair earned an 8-0 win at the No. 1 spot. Freshman Caitlin Fluegge competed in her first doubles match of the season, earning an 8-5 win alongside Lauren Strasburger. The sweep was concluded with Sarah Seltsam and Kirsten Stople picking up a team-high seventh doubles win.
The Rams continued their strong play as they entered singles, sweeping all six singles matches for the first time this season.
Fluegge moved up from her No. 6 position to compete at No. 4 singles. She earned a win in straight sets and remains unbeaten in 2008 with a 6-0 record. The last time Fluegge dropped a match was during tournament play, when she fell on Sep. 21. Her 12 overall victories leads the Rams.
"The key with (Fluegge) is to try and have her build confidence for conference, and I think that's happening right now," commented Head Coach Jon Messick. "As a freshman, she's doing a great job."
Strasburger and Tyler flip-flopped from their usual positions to compete at Nos. 1 and 2 singles. With Tyler at No. 1 and Strasburger at No. 2, the two both earned 6-0, 6-2 wins.
Neal won her third straight match as she picked up a 6-2, 6-4 win at the No. 3 spot. Each of her last three wins have come in straight sets.
Greer Satherlie earned her 12th overall win of the season as she picked up a victory at No. 5 singles.
Kirsten competed in just her second singles match of the spring season. She earned a decisive victory as she only allowed her opponent to win one game.
"We had goals and gave everybody something specific to work on, and everyone accomplished what we wanted," said Messick.
The three-game trip continues Monday as the Rams take on Dixie State in Las Vegas, Nev. The spring-break trip concludes Tuesday with a match against Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Sunday's Results:
Doubles:
No. 1: Neal/Tyler (CSU) def. Burden/Drydova (SUU); 8-0
No. 2: Strasburger/Fluegge (CSU) def. Kruk/Nelson-Bulloch (SUU); 8-5
No. 3: Seltsam/Stople (CSU) def. Blanco/Latteier (SUU); 8-5
Singles:
No. 1: Hilary Tyler (CSU) def. Kirrily Burden (SUU); 6-0, 6-2
No. 2: Lauren Strasburger (CSU) def. Kateryna Drynova (SUU); 6-0, 6-2
No. 3: Laura Neal (CSU) def. Martha Kruk (SUU); 6-2, 6-4
No. 4: Caitlin Fluegge (CSU) def. Emmi Nelson-Bulloch (SUU); 6-1, 6-4
No. 5: Greer Satherlie (CSU) def. Carmen Blanco (SUU); 7-5, 6-3
No. 6: Kirsten Stople (CSU) def. Kristi Latteier (SUU); 6-0, 6-1
