Women's Tennis 2/9/2022 9:30:00 AM

Panthers Set to Resume Play with Weekend Triple-Header, Home Opener on Sunday

ATLANTA/Macon, Ga.- The Georgia State women's tennis team will resume action this weekend in a triple-header of matches set to include road matchups against Clark Atlanta and Mercer, followed by the team's home opener against Lipscomb on Sunday. After nearly a month off from competition, head coach Hannah Keeling is optimistic that the team is poised for a fresh start as GSU returns to spring 2022 play with a rested lineup.

With both matches previously scheduled for last weekend having been postponed, GSU will now travel to face Clark Atlanta on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. ET as well as Mercer on Friday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. ET. The Panthers will then return to Atlanta for the team's first home match against Lipscomb on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. ET.

Opening the spring with a trio of hard-fought matches against Florida Gulf Coast, FAU and Middle Tennessee, the Panthers exhibited particularly strong play as a unit in doubles competition as well as standout individual performances from several members of the team. Despite the team's best efforts, GSU dropped it's first three matches of the season.

Playing in the second position, Sofya Golubovskaya and Angel Carney saw a resounding victory in doubles, 6-2, as GSU faced Florida Gulf Coast in the team's season opener. Seniors Eva Chivu and Andreea Stanescu also posted a win, 6-4, at the team's No. 1 position as the duo secured the doubles point for the Panthers and earned GSU it's first point of the match heading into singles competition.

After Florida Gulf Coast tied the match at 1-1 with a win in singles, GSU took back the lead, 2-1, as Chivu claimed victory at the first position and earned the team it's second point with a stellar singles performance. GSU eventually dropped close matches in positions four, two and five to fall to Florida Gulf Coast, 4-2.

Both pairs in the team's first and second positions once again claimed the doubles point for GSU with strong performances in the team's match against Middle Tennessee. Carney also secured a solid victory in singles against FAU, 6-0, 6-1, while playing in the fifth position for the Panthers.

Keeling believes that the team has been able to learn from the tough opening weekend of competition, and that time off has helped the Panthers prepare to compete as they continue their spring campaign.

"We have a great week ahead of us with three matches, including our first match at home," Keeling said. "We are more than ready to get back out there after overcoming some challenges. The team has been working hard to prepare and I am ready to see them compete and bring good energy towards a successful weekend."

GSU looks to rebound and build momentum moving forward in the season by picking up wins in match play this weekend. Thursday's competition against Clark Atlanta will take place at the CAU Tennis Courts. The team will take a road trip the following day as Mercer is set to host Friday's match at Leroy Peddy Tennis Center in Macon, Ga.

Sunday's home opener will be the Panthers' first match playing at the GSU Clarkston Courts this spring as they host Lipscomb to kick off home competition.

Follow Georgia State women's tennis on Twitter (@GSUWTennis) and Instagram (@GSUWomensTennis) for news and updates leading up to this weekend's matches as well as throughout the season.

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Players Mentioned

Eva Chivu: 6' 1"; Freshman

Andreea Stanescu: 5' 4"; Freshman

Angel Carney: 5' 3"; Junior

Sofya Golubovskaya: 5' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Eva Chivu
: 6' 1"; Freshman

Andreea Stanescu
: 5' 4"; Freshman

Angel Carney
: 5' 3"; Junior

Sofya Golubovskaya
: 5' 6"; Senior