SILOAM SPRINGS -- The John Brown University women's tennis team dropped two of three third-set tiebreakers as Missouri Baptist escaped Siloam Springs with a 5-2 decision over the Golden Eagles on Tuesday morning (March 13) at the JBU Tennis Courts.
Senior Lin Xin Tan and junior Erin Kuykendall each fell in pivotal third sets at the one and four, respectively, while senior Abigail Woodring completed an impressive performance at the second spot to help John Brown (7-5).
"Overall, we lost the match by a total of four points separating us from Missouri Baptist," head coach Mike Campbell noted. "MoBap is probably the second-best team in our region, and while this would've been a great win for us, I'm very proud of how the ladies competed.
"I'm especially proud of Abigail and Kyla, who scored big victories in their matches."
Woodring took care of Nina Vasiljkovic at two by a 6-3, 6-0 final to improve to 5-6 on the season, while senior Kyla Isaac nabbed a third-set tiebreak win at the bottom flight in comeback fashion, outlasting Teodora Iacob (3-6, 6-2, 10-7).
Tan fell at the top singles flight by just two points, 3-6, 6-4, 8-10, moving the Golden Eagles' ones player to 10-2 on the season. Junior Erin Kuykenall also went to a tiebreak at the fourth slot, falling in heartbreaking fashion to Mariana Azevedo, 6-2, 4-6, 10-12.
Senior Caroline Hillock and Isaac tied doubles play at one apiece with a 7-5 win over Azevedo and Iacob at the third flight, but the visiting Spartans (7-5) captured the doubles point by taking the top flight.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday (March 30) afternoon when John Brown welcomes Ozarks (Ark.) to Siloam Springs for a 3 p.m. match.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Don't miss a minute of the latest action surrounding JBU Athletics by following the Golden Eagles on Twitter (@JBUathletics), Instagram (@JBUathletics) and Facebook (/JBUathletics). Catch every Golden Eagle home game and select away games on the SAC Sports Network, available online or for download on your favorite streaming device.
