SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Savannah State University women's tennis team (0-16) fell to the University of Southern Mississippi (8-6) Wednesday at Tiger Tennis Courts.
 
USM took a 1-0 lead after winning at the No. 6 singles position by default and took a 2-0 lead after Alex Kitchen defeated junior Rachida Kateb 6-1, 6-4 at the No. 1 singles position.
 
The Golden Eagles took a 3-0 lead after Claudia Castella defeated senior Jennyfer Vivas 6-0, 6-0 at the No. 5 singles position and clinched the match after Tjasa Jerse defeated senior Bria Burrows 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 4 singles position.  Tzu-Hui Chen defeated freshman Lili-Morgan Pastore 6-3, 6-1 at the No. 3 singles position.
 
With the match clinched, the No. 2 singles position went unfinished, but senior Sandy Lochu was leading Rikeetha Pereira 6-5 in the first set and the doubles competition was not played.
 
The Lady Tigers travel to Hilton Head, S.C., Thursday against George Mason University at 4 p.m. at Motor Coach Resort. 
 
Southern Miss 5, Savannah State 0
Singles competition
1. Alex Kitchen (USM) d. Rachida Kateb (SSU) 6-1, 6-4
2. Sandy Lochu (SSU) vs. Rikeetha Pereira (USM) 6-5, unfinished
3. Tzu-Hui Chen (USM) d. Lili-Morgan Pastore (SSU) 6-3, 6-1
4. Tjasa Jerse (USM) d. Bria Burrows (SSU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Claudia Castella (USM) d. Jennyfer Vivas (SSU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Elena Roca (USM) d. No Player (SSU) by default
Order of Finish: 6,1,5,4,3
Doubles competition
1. Carolin Brescher/Alex Kitchen (USM) vs. Sandy Lochu/Lili-Morgan Pastore (SSU) no result
2. Elena Roca/Rikeetha Pereira (USM) vs. Bria Burrows/Rachida El Kateb (SSU) no result
3. Tjasa Jerse/Tzu-Hui Chen (USM) vs. Jennyfer Vivas/No Player (SSU) no result
 
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