JACKSON – Down 4-1 to Meridian Community College with four matches still on court, the Millsaps Majors Women's Tennis Team fought to the very end as they began to make a comeback on the night they honored two seniors in Lauren Williams and Elizabeth Meyer. The Majors got two matches back, which left Williams and Meyer remaining on the court with a chance to complete the comeback and earn their 14th win of the season. The two did not disappoint in their last match, completing the comeback for a 5-4 win.
 
“You couldn't ask for anything better then for it to come down to two seniors at No. 3 and No. 4 singles,” said Head Coach Jason Box. “I have all the confidence in the world that if it comes down to those two, we are going to win them both.”
 
It was a surprisingly rocky start for the Majors as they dropped their first two doubles matches, but they got one of the best performances from the No. 3 Doubles Team of sophomore Laura Kebert and freshman Margaret Cosnahan as they took an 8-5 win to get the Majors a point at doubles.
 
“Our No. 3 Doubles came through which was an awesome performance by them,” said senior Elizabeth Meyer. “If we didn't have them, we would not of had this chance tonight.”
 
The Eagles were able to extend their lead to 4-1 after picking up two quick wins in singles competition. However, Millsaps got a huge win in No. 1 Singles as freshman Deena Li Kam Wa improved to 17-1 this season with a 6-2, 6-0 victory followed immediately by a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 5 Singles by Kebert, leaving the match in the hands of the seniors, Williams and Meyer.
 
“I remember Coach telling me that it depended on Elizabeth and I to win the match for the team and that got me excited,” said Senior Lauren Williams. “It put a little bit of pressure on me, but I really wanted it.”
 
Williams went through a grueling match at No. 3. She went back and forth with her opponent, Jessica Halterman, before taking set one, 6-4. In the second set, Halterman gave Williams a tough match as she continued to survive and extend. However, the resilient senior prevailed as she took the deciding game to deuce and found a way to win it, taking set two, 7-5.
 
It all came down to Meyer, who struggled early on with her opponent Cecilie Mansu as she took set one, 7-6 (7-3).
 
“I had to keep pushing through and the second set was going to be very difficult,” said Meyer on getting back into the match. “If I kept pushing and kept running after every ball then I would eventually crack her; I just kept fighting.”
 
Meyer did keep fighting after falling behind 2-1 in set two, she dominated the next few games and pulled away with a 6-3 win as she constantly put ball after ball in play and forced Mansu into numerous errors.
 
It was all the momentum Meyer needed as she prevailed in the final set and cruised to a 6-2 win to improve the Majors to 14-4 on the season in what has been an incredible turnaround season for the women's tennis program.
 
“I really can't describe this, it's been such an amazing journey with highs and lows,” said Williams as she reflected on her Major career. “But tonight is definitely one of the most amazing nights, this is why I play tennis and I am so excited for my team and the opportunity I get to play.”
 
Meyer added, “Right before we started our singles matches tonight, Lauren and I decided that this is our night and we are not going to lose these matches.”
 
The Majors have little time to celebrate as they hit the road to Birmingham, as they will meet Oglethorpe University, a SCAC member, in a matchup that could decide seedings in next week's SCAC Tournament. First serve is set for 4 p.m.

Millsaps 5 Meridian CC 4

No. 1 Doubles;  Jvanna Euezuna and Jessian Halteman (MCC) d. Lauren Williams and Deena Li Kam Wa (M)); 8-1
No. 2 Doubles;  Monica Rekkedal and Katy Adams (MCC) d. Callie Creekmore and Elizabeth Meyer (M); 8-2
No. 3 Doubles; Laura Kebert and Margaret Cosnahan(M) d. Leslie Martin and Tara-Beth Hall (MCC); 8-5
 
No. 1 Singles;     Kam Wa (M) d. Rekkedal (MCC); 6-2, 6-0
No. 2 Singles;     Euezuna (MCC) d. Creekmore (M); 6-1,6-1
No. 3 Singles;     Williams (M) d. Halteman (MCC); 6-4, 7-5
No. 4 Singles;     Meyer (M) d. Mansu (MCC); 6-7 (7-3), 6-3, 6-2
No. 5 Singles;     Kebert (M) d. Adams (MCC); 6-2, 6-1
No. 6 Singles;     Martin (MCC) d. Cosnahan (M); 7-2, 7-0