Missouri Tennis falls to 0-2 with 6-1 loss at Georgia
The Missouri women’s tennis team fell 6-1 to the Georgia Bulldogs on Friday in Athens, Georgia, dropping its spring record to 0-2.
Tiger sophomore Rachel Stuhlmann recorded the only Missouri victory, defeating Maho Kowase (6-3 and 6-2) in fourth slot singles. Kowase is the No. 22 player in the country.
At No. 1 singles, Chelsey Gullickson, ranked No. 2 nationally, defeated Missouri senior Nina Pantic (6-2 and 7-5). In the second slot, Georgia's Lauren Herring beat Maria Christensen (6-2 and 6-3). At No. 3, Nadja Gilchrist topped Missouri freshman Alex Clark (6-2 and 6-3).
In a hard-fought battle at No. 5, Georgia's Kate Fuller defeated Jamie Mera, (3-6, 6-3, 1-0 and 10-7). Lilly Kimbell had an easier time with Annemijn Koenen at No. 6, besting the MU junior (6-0 and 7-6).
In doubles, the Bulldog tandem of Gullickson and Gilchrist ran past Pantic and Stuhlmann 8-1. Fuller and Herring then topped the Clark and Mera duo 8-3. The match concluded with Kimbell and Kowase beating Christensen and Koenen 7-4.
The match marked the first ever meeting between Missouri and Georgia. The teams will be conference rivals when the Tigers join the Southeastern Conference beginning in the 2012-2013 season.