JONESBORO, Ark. (2/11/12) – The Arkansas State women’s tennis team defeated Southeast Missouri State 5-1 at the RidgePointe Country Club indoor tennis facility on Saturday afternoon.

The match was originally scheduled to take place at Allen Park in Jonesboro, but the threat of inclement weather and below freezing temperatures forced the match to be moved. Due to time constraints at the tennis facility, no doubles matches were played.

Arkansas State (2-2) won all but one of the singles matches played on Saturday. Freshman Tamara Slijepcevic pushed her singles winning streak to four with a 6-2, 6-1 over Elizabeth Nyenwe in the No. 2 singles match. Slijepcevic is a perfect 4-0 on the season from the No. 2 singles position.

In the No. 1 singles match Mariana Rong defeated Nokle Novijova 7-5, 6-0, while Janie Nowland earned a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Jessica Courtnell in the No. 3 singles match.

“It is always good to come out and get some victories after a long road trip last weekend,” ASU tennis coach Marina Engelbrecht said. “These wins can give us some momentum heading into our long road trip over the next few weeks and hopefully give us something to build on.”

In the No. 5 singles match Ioana Teu defeated Laura Garcia 6-0, 6-0, while Ceara Howey picked up a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Heather Robinson in the No. 6 singles match. SEMO’s only victory came in the No. 4 singles match when Melissa Martin defeated Biljana Miloshevska 3-6, 7-6, 10-7.

The Red Wolves will play their next six matches on the road beginning with a match against Evansville on Feb. 17.

Tennis Match Results

Southeast Missouri State vs Arkansas State

Feb 11, 2012 at Jonesboro, Arkansas

Arkansas State 5, Southeast Missouri State 1

 Singles competition

1. Mariana Rong (ASU) def. Nikole Novikova (SEMO) 7-5, 6-0

2. Tamara Slijepcevic (ASU) def. Elizabeth Nyenwe (SEMO) 6-2, 6-1

3. Janie Nowland (ASU) def. Jessica Courtnell (SEMO) 6-4, 6-2

4. Melissa Martin (SEMO) def. Biljana Miloshevska (ASU) 3-6, 7-6, 10-7

5. Ioana Teu (ASU) def. Laura Garcia (SEMO) 6-0, 6-0

6. Ceara Howey (ASU) def. Heather Robinson (SEMO) 6-3, 6-2

Match Notes:

Southeast Missouri State 0-1

Arkansas State 2-2