Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina women’s tennis complete its first day of action at the Carolina Kickoff on Saturday with the team accounting for three singles wins and one doubles win on the day.
Graduate Ayana Akli and junior Olympe Lancelot were both perfect on the day with each Gamecock winning their own singles match and the two combining for South Carolina’s lone doubles win.
No. 6 Akli faced No. 34 DJ Bennett of Auburn in singles, besting the Tiger 7-5, 6-2. Lancelot earned her singles win over Ali DeSpain of Auburn in a strong 6-1, 6-4 showing.
In doubles the pair took on Wake Forest’s Brooke Killingsworth and Marcella Cruz, posting a dominant 6-2 victory.
South Carolina’s other singles win of the day came at the hands of junior Misa Malkin. The Tucson, Ariz., native battled her opponent in a tiebreaker first set, coming out on the other side 7-6(5), and going on to take the match with a 6-3 second set.
The Carolina Kickoff will continue on Sunday with one round of singles and one round of doubles. The Gamecocks are scheduled to begin doubles not before 2:00 p.m., followed by singles not before 3:00 p.m. Attendance is free and open to the public. Fans not in attendance can view live streaming here.
For all the latest South Carolina women’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockWTennis).
Day 1 Results
Singles
(6) Ayana Akli (SC) def. (34) DJ Bennett (AU) 7-5, 6-2
Ariana Arseneault (AU) def. (4) Sarah Hamner (SC) 7-6(5), 6-4
Kaitlyn Carnicella (AU) def. (76) Shahar Biran (SC) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
Adeline Flach (AU) def. Elise Mills (SC) 6-3, 6-4
Misa Malkin (SC) def. Ava Esposito Cogan (AU) 7-6(5), 6-3
Olympe Lancelot (SC) def. Ali DeSpain (AU) 6-1, 6-4
Ava Martin (WISC) def. Anna Kantor (SC) vs. 1-6, 6-1, 1-0(9)
Doubles
Ayana Akli/Olympe Lancelot (SC) def. Brooke Killingsworth/Marcella Cruz (WF) 6-2
Casie Wooten/Krystal Blanch (WF) def. Sarah Hamner/Shahar Biran (SC) 7-6(5)
Whitley Pate/Sankavi Gownder (WF) def. Misa Malkin/Anna Kantor (SC) 6-1