CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Harding women's tennis team fell just short of claiming its first-ever Gulf South Conference West Division championship, dropping a 5-4 decision to Delta State on Tuesday.
Trailing 2-1 after doubles, Harding (17-6, 4-1) needed four singles victories to take the match. The Lady Bisons won two in straight sets and another in three sets, but also lost two three-set matches.
With the loss, Harding will finish second in the West Division. The Lady Bisons still have one more conference match, Thursday against Henderson State in Searcy.
Harding's doubles point came at No. 1, where Ling Chan and Benyapa Phumtip won 8-6. The duo improved to 4-1 as a team, winning its third straight.
The Lady Bisons scored straight-sets victories at No. 2, where Phumtip won 6-1, 6-0, and at No. 4, where Gina Cielo won 6-4, 7-5. Phumtip is 11-3 overall and has won four straight. Cielo is tied for the team lead with 12 singles victories, including six consecutive.
Chelsea Hunt recorded Harding's three-set victory at No. 3, winning 4-6, 7-6, 6-4. She improved to 12-4 overall with her fourth straight win.
Harding lost three-set matches at No. 1 and No. 5 and fell in straight sets at No. 6.
Tennis Match Results
Harding vs Delta State
Apr 05, 2011 at Cleveland, Miss.
#34 Delta State 5, Harding 4
Singles competition
1. Laura Mongin (DSU) def. Ling Chan (HU) 1-6, 6-1, 6-4
2. Benyapa Phumtip (HU) def. Lucia Laws (DSU) 6-1, 6-0
3. Chelsea Hunt (HU) def. Amandine Gourgues (DSU) 4-6, 7-6, 6-4
4. Gina Cielo (HU) def. Erin Teivans (DSU) 6-4, 7-5
5. Maria Moya Morales (DSU) def. Fabiola Wisnesky (HU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
6. Hidemi Mayeshiro (DSU) def. Janet Orgain (HU) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Ling Chan/Benyapa Phumtip (HU) def. Laura Mongin/Erin Teivans (DSU) 8-6
2. Lucia Laws/Amandine Gourgues (DSU) def. Gina Cielo/Chelsea Hunt (HU) 8-5
3. Maria Moya Morales/Hidemi Mayeshiro (DSU) def. Fabiola Wisnesky/Callie Huey (HU) 8-5
Match Notes:
Harding 17-6, 4-1; Regional ranking #12
Delta State 10-4, 5-0; National ranking #34; Regional ranking #9
