Lady Buffs secure second; senior day for Buffs

Milligan College, Tenn. (Apr. 15, 2008) --- The Lady Buffs secured second place in regular season play in the AAC by defeating Tennessee Wesleyan 7-2. They ended the season with a 4-1 record and their only conference loss was to the number one seeded Union College. 

After sweeping in doubles matches, four Lady Buffaloes went on to win their singles matches. Melissa Grgat (Melbourne, Australia) defeated Courtney Smith 6-3, 6-2. Following in good fashion, number two slot, Caitlin Conely (Bristol, Tenn.) won 6-1, 6-2. Sara Hopson (Greenville, Tenn.) had a nice 6-3, 6-2 win. Janie Mullins (Greeneville, Ala.) coasted to a 6-0, 6-0 win.

“It's a good win for us. We've won four conference matches in a row and this gives us a good measure of confidence going into the AAC tournament this weekend. Needless to say, I'm proud of the team and their record,” commented Coach Ron Worrell.

Today was the last day for Peter Harris (Irmo, S.C.) and Jeremiah Key (Walkertown, N.C.) to take the home courts for Milligan College.

“I am very appreciative of Peter and Jeremiah's efforts. Going through a rebuilding phase, this was a tough year for the men's team. They worked hard in practice and gave their all in every match,” coach commented on his seniors.

The Milligan men lost by a score of 8-1 on Senior Day. Highlighting they day, Jonathon Ryan (Wangaratta, Australia), in the number one slot, defeated the 2007 AAC Player of the Year, Newton Mizutani, 6-3, 1-6, (13-11).   

“This was a big win for Jonathon. He's had three third se tie-breakers in a row and this was his first win. This was a big win over a tough player,” commented coach Worrell.    

  
Milligan 7 - Tennessee Wesleyan 2

Singles
No. 1: Melissa Grgat (MC) d. Courtney Smith (TWC) 6-3, 6-2
No. 2: Caitlin Conley (MC) d. Jessica Robinson (TWC) 6-1, 6-2
No. 3: Shelley Williams (TWC) d. Jessie Rose Remegi (MC) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
No. 4: Sara Hopson (MC) d. Lori Conester (TWC) 6-3, 6-2
No. 5: Janie Mullins (MC) d. Jenny Robertson (TWC) 6-0, 6-0
No. 6: Lindsey DeFalco (TWC) d. Laura Bowman (MC) 6-3, 5-7, (10-6)

Doubles
No. 1: Grgat/Hopson d. Robinson/Smith 9-8 (3)
No. 2: Conley/Remegi d. Williams/Conester 8-0
No. 3: Mullins/Bowman d. Roberston/DeFalco 8-3


Milligan 1 - Tennessee Wesleyan 8

Singles
Jonathan Ryan (MC) d. Newton Mizutani (TWC) 6-3, 1-6, (13-11)
Guilherme Cervezaro (TWC) d. Bryan Upshaw (MC) 6-0, 6-0
Cody Gaby (TWC) d. Peter Harris (MC) 6-0, 6-0
Giovannia Santos (TWC) d. Michael Bell (MC) 6-1, 6-0
Eric Chastein (TWC) d. Jeremiah Key (MC) 6-1, 6-0
Hunter Watson (TWC) d. Jonathan Tuttle (MC) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles
Mizutani/Cervezaro d. Ryan/Upshaw 8-3
Gaby/Santos d. Harris/Bell 8-1
Watson/Hawkins d. Key/Tuttle 8-0

Milligan will compete in the AAC Conference Tournament at the Liberty Bell Tennis Complex in Johnson City, Tenn., beginning Friday, April 18, 2008, at 9 a.m.