#9 Wolfpack Beat #2 Ohio State in a Gritty Finish

COLUMBUS, Ohio – 9th-ranked NC State women’s tennis (7-1, 1-0 ACC) edged past the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-3) Wednesday night after a nail biting 4-3 finish in Columbus. The match was the first win over a No. 2 ranked opponent for the program, previously beating the No. 3 ranked team three times in the past two seasons. 

Both the doubles point and final singles point came down to a tiebreak set on court one, featuring the freshman, Diana Shnaider. On court three Gina Dittmann and Abigail Rencheli paired up for the first time this dual match season but ending up falling to their opponent 3-6. No. 5 Nell Miller and Amelia Rajecki reunited to show their talent and claim the first doubles victory, 6-3. The doubles point came down to court one with No. 23 Shnaider and Alana Smith who battled to a tiebreak set against the No. 11 ranked doubles pair to get the edge for the Wolfpack that would end up being critical. 

Anna Zyryanova came up short on court six 4-6, 1-6 to give the Buckeyes their first point and tie the team score 1-1. Shortly after, NC State was back on top 2-1 as No. 17 Amelia Rajecki on court three defeated her opponent 6-4, 6-4. On court four, No. 51 Abigail Rencheli was unable to battle back in her three set match after originally taking the first set, 6-3, 0-6, 4-6. With the Buckeyes now ahead, play on courts one, two, and five became intense to attempt to snag any points for the squad. Ohio State tallied another singles point to lead 3-2 after taking down Gina Dittmann on court five in a three set show finishing 3-6, 6-2, 4-6 for the junior. 

With all eyes on courts one and two, No. 15 Alana Smith rallied past her No. 33 ranked opponent after winning the first set in a tiebreak 13-11. She then fell behind and gave up the second set 4-6, forcing a third that was smooth cruising for her, finishing 6-2. Smith’s win tied up the team score at three a piece, keeping everyone on their toes as they watched No. 52 Shnaider finish out the fight. Familiar with her No. 22 ranked opponent from doubles play prior, Shnaider had to battle for every point. Landing the first set 7-5, she fell behind in the second 4-6, extending to a third set. Shnaider brought the win home for her team as she came from behind to force a tiebreak she claimed with a 7-3 triumph.

Results:

#9 NC State 4, #2 Ohio State 3

Doubles…