TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Despite dropping the doubles point in Friday's non-conference match at Florida A&M, Jacksonville State women's tennis rebounded in singles play with five straight flight victories to secure a match win in the Sunshine State. That impressive triumph caps off a successful three-match road-trip in which the Gamecocks scored big wins at FAMU and Troy.
 
"This was a test for us, especially after the doubles," head coach Mike Mucci said. "We had to challenge the ladies to respond after coming out flat and letting them control the doubles point. We responded by winning six first sets and really grasped control of the match."
 
Anna Syrova and Ella Tuomela of Jax State (7-2) jumped out to a fast 6-1 win on court two in doubles play, but the Rattlers (3-8) secured the opening point with consecutive triumphs. After a decisive result in the no. 1 doubles flight in favor of the home team, the tandem of Polina Ramenskaja and Serafima Shastova simply could not close it out and suffered a 6-4 setback to give Florida A&M an early advantage. 
 
Fortunately for Mucci, their team had no problem dominating in one-on-one action. Ramenskaja (6-1, 6-1), Zuzana Pavelekova (6-2, 6-3), and Dariana Prato (6-2, 6-1) rolled to blowouts in their respective showdowns to put the Gamecocks on the verge of a match win. Jax State added two more two-set triumphs in wins by Romane Mosse (6-2, 6-4) and Syrova (6-2, 7-5), to wrap up a strong showing in Florida. 
 
"I'm proud of the response, but we really need to keep working on doubles before playing some quality opponents at home next week," Mucci said. 
 
After getting back in the win column on Friday morning, Jacksonville State will return to play next week with four matches against strong competition. They will host Mercer at 10 a.m. Wednesday before duking it out with Wallace State Community College later that afternoon at the JSU Tennis Courts. The team will enjoy a couple off-days before meeting Chattanooga in Calhoun County at 11 a.m. Saturday, then will conclude a week full of action on Sunday at Alabama A&M.
 
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Twitter (@JaxStateTN), Instagram (@JaxStateWTennis), and Facebook (Jacksonville State University Tennis) accounts. 
 
Tennis Match Results
JSU vs FAMU
2/24/2023 at Tallahassee, Fla.
JSU 5, FAMU 2
 
Singles Competition
 

1. Romane Mosse (JSU) def. Rebekkah Gaines (FAMU) 6-2, 6-4
2. Polina Ramenskaja (JSU) def. Veronica Rodriguez (FAMU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Anna Syrova (JSU) def. Sierra Sandy (FAMU) 6-2, 7-5
4. Dariana Prato (JSU) def. Sara Rakim (FAMU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Genesis Whitelock (FAMU) def. Ella Tuomela (JSU) 2-6, 6-4, 10-8
6. Zuzana Pavelekova (JSU) def. Reagan Harris (FAMU) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles Competition
 

1. Sara Rakim/Sierra Sandy (FAMU) def. Irene Artigas/Romane Mosse (JSU) 6-3
2. Anna Syrova/Ella Tuomela (JSU) def. Reagan Harris/Genesis Whitelock (FAMU) 6-1
3. Rebekkah Gaines/Veronica Rodriguez (FAMU) def. Polina Ramenskaja/Serafima Shastova (JSU) 6-4