GCU Downs D-I Montana State; Set to Host Senior Day Saturday at Paseo

Friday, March 23

Glendale, AZ

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Montana State

GCU Downs D-I Montana State; Set to Host Senior Day Saturday at Paseo

3/23/2012 11:53:00 PM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis

The Grand Canyon University women’s tennis team defeated Division I Montana State, 5-4, today at the Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale, Ariz.

“The women had a huge win today over a D-I opponent,” said head coach Greg Prudhomme. “The victory was fantastic for many reasons. It's always great to beat a D-I team. We run our program as if it's a D-I team and getting a win at that level is great validation. I'm especially proud for this close, hard-fought win as it came on the heels of a tough road-trip that had a few losses. It was a great rebound for the girls. Finally, they did it without one of our regular starters. They all stepped up. Kaila did a great job stepping into the lineup and getting the win in doubles. Priscilla was involved in both deciding matches - the doubles was tied 1-1 when her and Kaila came from 3-6 down to win the set and give us the lead going into singles and the match was tied 4-4 when Priscilla was down 3-5 of the second set before coming back to win a tie-break for the team win. All of our wins were hard fought today. Nothing was given to us.”

Priscilla Annoual and Katharina Mittag were both double winners in today’s match. Annoual teamed with Kaila Knopf to win 8-6 in the No. 3 doubles match. She also won her No. 1 singles match in a thrilling come-from-behind 6-4, 7-6 (4) fashion. Mittag teamed with Franziska Schmid to win 8-5 in the No. 3 doubles match. She won her No. 2 singles match 6-3, 7-5.

GCU 5 MSU 4

Both the men’s and women’s teams will be in action tomorrow at noon when they will host D-I Montana at the Paseo Racquet Center.

The day will also honor its departing seniors for the work and effort they have put into the program.

On the women’s side, Cecilia Vergnet will play her final home match of the season. She is 10-5 this season and has won six of her last seven matches.

“Cecilia is the only senior we will lose on the women's team, which shows very well for the future of our team,” said Prudhomme. “Cecilia has played a huge role in the rise of our national ranking the past few seasons going from nothing to No. 49 to No. 13 in her time here. She played No. 1 her sophomore year and earned Newcomer of the Year for the Pacific West Conference that season.”

The men’s program will see five seniors in their last home matches at the Paseo Racquet Center.

Patrice Giraldi is currently ranked No.13 in the West Region. He is 8-5 this season.

“Patrice came to us two years ago and immediately started putting GCU tennis on the map by earning the West Region Rookie of the Year,” added Prudhomme. “He stepped into the No. 1 position, earned a winning record, and helped us recruit stronger players to join him these past two seasons.”

Stephane Murray enters his final home match ranked No. 9 in the West Region. He has played No. 1, 2 and 3 singles this season for the Antelopes.

“Stephane came to us last year as the top player from Anderson University and is in his second year here as half of the No. 1 doubles team,” said Prudhomme. “He and his partner had only one loss on the year last season.”

Peter Kazianschuetz is ranked No. 17 in the West Region and has won nine-straight singles matches.

“Peter came from Northwood University as their No. 1 player where he earned a top-30 singles ranking and top-15 doubles ranking,” added Prudhomme. “He holds the best singles record this season at 12-2, including a win against powerhouse, Armstrong Atlantic State University.”

Frederic Schoelzel is the highest ranked ‘Lopes player, coming in at No. 2 in the West Region.

Frederic also came from Northwood where he teamed with Kazianschuetz for a top-15 national doubles ranking and has been half of our No. 1 doubles team with Murray for the past two seasons,” said Prudhomme. “Frederic also earned the coveted All-American status for his season ending No. 17 national ranking in singles.”

Kevin Anderson rounds out his career at GCU and has gone 2-1 this season.

“Kevin came to GCU from Eastern Washington University and played a major role last season in doubles, helping us earn a big upset win over BYU-Hawai’i,” said Prudhomme.

"We have some very special seniors that will be missed after this season,” concluded Prudhomme. “They will be missed for their tennis play on the court and their personalities and leadership off the court.”