COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 16 Tennessee Women’s tennis team’s five-match winning streak came to an end at No. 22 South Carolina in 4-3 defeat on Friday night at Carolina Tennis Center. The Lady Volunteers notched the doubles point, but only registered two of the necessary singles wins.
“South Carolina came out swinging freely and they played very well from start to finish,” head coach Alison Ojeda said. “Tonight’s loss hurts pretty badly because we didn’t feel like we were our toughest. And as a competitor, you never want to leave the court feeling that way. Good news, we get another opportunity on Sunday to go out and give it everything we have. I’ve been a part of a lot of great teams in my 26 years in college tennis, but there is something special about this squad that stands out daily.”
Tennessee (10-3, 2-1 SEC) captured a thrilling doubles point by earning victories on courts one and two against South Carolina (9-3, 1-2 SEC). The No. 57-ranked duo of Sofia Cabezas and Elza Tomase downed the No. 41-ranked pair of Ayana Alki and Sara Hamner in a 7-5 triumph. Alana Wolfberg and Esther Adeshina added another 7-5 affair over Shahar Biran and Elise Mills. Lauren Anzalotta and Catherine Aulia dropped the only doubles match to Misa Malkin and Olympe Lancelot, 3-6. The 1-0 advantage marked the 11th time this season that the Lady Vols took the doubles point.
After nailing down the doubles point, Tennessee only added two victories in singles. No. 27 Cabezas claimed the first singles win, 6-2, 6-4, in a straight-set top-10 victory against No. 8 Ayana Akli. No.121 Aulia added the second victory against Misa Malkin in a 7-6 (6), 6-1 triumph.
A quartet of Big Orange members yielded losses against the Gamecocks. Wolfberg fell to No. 125 Sharhar Biran in a 1-6, 2-6 contest. Adeshina came up short against Elise Mills, 6-3, 0-6, 1-6. Tomase dropped her match to No. 10 Sarah Hamner 3-6, 4-6. Anzalotta lost to Olmype Lancelot, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6.
NEXT UP:
The Lady Vols will stay on the road to face No. 18 Florida at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville, Fla. on Sunday at noon.
Match Notables:
Results:
Singles
1. #27 Sofia Cabezas (TENN) def. #8 Ayana Akli (SC) 6-2, 6-4
2. #10 Sarah Hamner (SC) def. Elza Tomase (TENN) 6-3, 6-4
3. #125 Shahar Biran (SC) def. Alana Wolfberg (TENN) 6-1, 6-2
4. #121 Catherine Aulia (TENN) def. Misa Malkin (SC) 7-6 (8-6), 6-1
5. Elise Mills (SC) def. Esther Adeshina (TENN) 3-6, 6-0, 6-1
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