STARKVILLE – Mississippi State women’s tennis dropped a 6-1 decision against No. 26 South Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
Emily Surcey picked up a singles win for the Bulldogs against McKenna Schaefbauer. Surcey took down Schaefbauer 6-2, 6-1 to tie the match at 1-1.
“I’m proud of Emily [Surcey] for the way she’s playing right now,” head coach Daryl Greenan said. “She got thrown into the lineup and is stepping up. For her to quickly tie it up one all, that makes a difference in this match. It put some scoreboard pressure on them.”
Emmanouela Antonaki faced South Carolina’s No. 6 Ayana Akli. In the first set, Akli won 7-5, but Antonaki fought back forcing a third set super tiebreaker with a 6-2 victory in the second set. The tiebreaker went back and forth, but ultimately Akli came away with a 12-10 win to take the match.
Gia Cohen dropped the first set 6-3 to 16th-ranked Sarah Hammer and forced a tiebreaker in the second set, but Cohen ultimately fell 7-6(4).
Alexandra Mikhailuk lost to Gamecock Gracie Mulville 6-4, 6-1. South Carolina’s Misa Malkin defeated Dharani Niroshan 6-3, 6-2 and No. 117 Maria Rizzolo fell to Elise Mills 6-2, 7-5.
MSU also dropped the doubles point with Mulville and Alice Otis defeating Cohen and Maddie Bemisderfer 6-3 and Mikhailuk and Sydney Hrehor lost to Ana Cruz Allie Gretkowski 6-3.
“I love that the fans are showing us some love and coming out,” Greenan said. “I think that’s a bit of a testament to how we’re still fighting and just competing and giving ourselves a chance every weekend.”
Next Up
Mississippi State is back at home on Friday to host rival Ole Miss at 4 p.m. The Bulldogs will have free t-shirts for the first 100 fans in attendance and a raffle for a visa gift card.
“Like our University President Dr. Keenum says, “That one’s worth two”, so we want both of them,” Greenan said.
For more information on the Bulldog women’s tennis program, visit HailState.com or search for “HailStateWT” on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
No. 26 South Carolina 6, Mississippi State 1
A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre | Starkville, Miss.
March 26, 2023
Doubles
1. Emmanouela Antonaki/Dharani Niroshan (MSU) vs. #70 Ayana Akli/Sarah Hamner (SC) 4-5, unfinished
2. Gracie Mulville/Alice Otis (SC) def. Maddie Bemisderfer/Gia Cohen (MSU) 6-3
3. Ana Cruz/Allie Gretkowski (SC) def. Sydney Hrehor/Alexandra…
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