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Delaney Edwards
Frank Mattia
Freshman Delaney Edwards

Women's Tennis Zack Kirby

Mocs Fall to ETSU in SoCon Semifinals

UTC ends the season with 15 wins.

Box Score The No. 3 seeded University of Tennessee at Chattanooga fell 4-0 to No. 2 East Tennessee State semifinal round of the Southern Conference Tournament Saturday afternoon at the Champions Club.
 
"I'm proud of my team. We wanted a rematch with them after the first time we played them," head coach Jeff Clark said. "I thought we played better than we did the first time, but ETSU is a really good team and just played better than us. I thought in spots we played alright but we really needed to have a game at every position. That can be very difficult to do, but we gave it our best shot."
 
Chattanooga fell behind 1-0 after ETSU took the doubles point. Alison Storie and Rachele Gazzola fell 6-4 to the Bucs' Regina Nychytailova and Melissa Esguerra at No. 3, followed by Samantha Caswell and Katie Polk dropping a 6-3 match against Marina Espana and Ioanna Markesini 6-4 at No. 2.
 
No. 1 doubles ended unfinished with Kayla Jones and Kelsey Coots up 5-4 over ETSU's Lyn Yee Choo and Ana Gerbasi.
 
In singles play, UTC fell behind 3-0 after Polk lost 6-1, 6-0 to the Bucs' Melissa Esguerra at No. 5, and Kayla Jones dropped a 6-4, 6-1 contest to Lyn Yee Choo at No.1. The match was decided at No. 4, when Alison Storie fell 6-2, 6-0 to ETSU's Marina Espana.
 
Kelsey Coots ended her match unfinished at No. 2, where she fell behind 6-4 in the first set but rallied back to take the second set 6-1. Other unfinished matches included Samantha Caswell's at No. 3 (4-6, 2-3) and Delaney Edwards' (6-3, 3-2) at No. 6.
 
Over the last four seasons, the senior group of Jones, Coots, Polk and Storie combined for a 69-22 record.
 
"They are tremendous and have contributed greatly over these past four years," Clark said. "Kelsey and Kayla have been four-year starters for us in singles and doubles. Katie had her healthiest and best season as a Moc, and Allie over the past two years has been a workhorse for us in the lineup. I've been thankful for the opportunity to coach them."
 
The Mocs conclude their season with a 14-8 overall record and 5-2 mark in regular season league play.
 
"I think our underclassmen in particular have gotten a great experience both in playing and watching these seniors," Clark said. "They've realized the intensity and work ethic that it takes to be a high level player. They've certainly gotten a good example from our seniors and I think the future looks bright."

East Tennessee State 4, Chattanooga 0
Apr 23, 2016 at Chattanooga, Tenn. (Champions Club)
Doubles competition

1. Lyn Yee Choo/Ana Gerbasi (ETSU) vs. Kayla Jones/Kelsey Coots (UTC) 4-5, unfinished
2. Marina Espana/Ioanna Markesini (ETSU) def. Samantha Caswell/Katie Polk (UTC) 6-3
3. Regina Nychytailova/Melissa Esguerra (ETSU) def. Alison Storie/Rachele Gazzola (UTC) 6-4

Singles competition
1. Lyn Yee Choo (ETSU) def. Kayla Jones (UTC) 6-4, 6-1
2. Regina Nychytailova (ETSU) vs. Kelsey Coots (UTC) 6-4, 1-6, unfinished
3. Ioanna Markesini (ETSU) vs. Samantha Caswell (UTC) 6-4, 3-2, unfinished
4. Marina Espana (ETSU) def. Alison Storie (UTC) 6-2, 6-0
5. Melissa Esguerra (ETSU) def. Katie Polk (UTC) 6-1, 6-1
6. Ana Gerbasi (ETSU) vs. Delaney Edwards (UTC) 3-6, 2-3, unfinished

Match Notes
Chattanooga 15-8
East Tennessee State 19-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (5,1,4)
T-2:04 A-146
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Samantha Caswell

Samantha Caswell

5' 7"
Sophomore
Kelsey Coots

Kelsey Coots

5' 4"
Senior
Rachele Gazzola

Rachele Gazzola

5' 10"
Junior
Kayla Jones

Kayla Jones

5' 9"
Senior
Katie Polk

Katie Polk

5' 4"
Senior
Alison Storie

Alison Storie

5' 4"
Senior
Delaney Edwards

Delaney Edwards

5' 10"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Samantha Caswell

Samantha Caswell

5' 7"
Sophomore
Kelsey Coots

Kelsey Coots

5' 4"
Senior
Rachele Gazzola

Rachele Gazzola

5' 10"
Junior
Kayla Jones

Kayla Jones

5' 9"
Senior
Katie Polk

Katie Polk

5' 4"
Senior
Alison Storie

Alison Storie

5' 4"
Senior
Delaney Edwards

Delaney Edwards

5' 10"
Freshman