Delta State University

CLEVELAND - The Delta State University men’s and women’s tennis teams have continued their solid play as Gulf South Conference play has started to heat up. The two teams combined to go 4-1 during the week of March 22-March 29. 

Both the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen defeated Alcorn State on March 22. The Statesmen came from behind after going 0-2 to start the doubles matches, but bounced back to win 7 of their next eight matches against the Braves. Pascal Laplace, Kirill Pervoon, Rafael Weigand, Goulven Tupin, and Erik Jahreskog all picked up wins in singles play. The team of Thiago Mavion and Julien Beckensteiner picked up DSU’S only doubles win with an 8-1 victory. 

In ladies play the Lady Statesmen defeated ASU by a score of 7-2 to push their season record to 7-1. DSU swept all doubles matches while taking 4-of-6 in singles play. Cecile Benzaki, Milena Araujo, Krystle Ozols, and Paulina Potapova all won singles matches for the Lady Statesmen. 

Both teams also emerged with a sweep against the LeMoyne Owen Magicians on March 26. 

Each team cruised to 9-0 victories in their respective matches. The Statesmen dropped only two games in the nine matches. On the women’s side the Lady Statesmen also dominated losing only one game in their nine matches. 

The last time out for the Statesmen saw conference rival and #8 ranked Ouachita Baptist keep up their steady play defeating the Statesmen easily, 8-1. Pascal Laplace was the lone bright spot for the Statesmen winning his number one singles match by a score of 6-3, 6-1. 

The Lady Statesmen return to action on April 1 as they will take on OBU, while the Statesmen return to the court on April 5 when they will take on BYU-Hawaii.