NOTRE DAME, Ind. – TheNo. 29 Clemson women’s tennis team (11-2, 1-1 ACC) dropped a hard-fought contest to No. 17 Notre Dame (9-3, 1-1 ACC) on Sunday by a score of 4-1. The loss snapped the team’s seven-match winning streak, as the Tigers had gotten off to their first 11-1 start since 1986.
Notre Dame came out firing, as it took the doubles point with wins on Courts 1 and 2. Clemson would need to win four of the six singles matches to claim a victory, and the task proved too tall against a talented Fighting Irish squad.
“Losses are tough to swallow,” began Head Coach Amy Sargeant. “Especially when momentum is in your favour, but today’s loss will not define who we are and who we are becoming. We will continue to learn as we go and stay committed to the process. Team48 is building something special and I’m proud of their resilience this weekend.”
Samantha Buyckx began the comeback effort for the Tigers, winning Court 3 6-4, 6-3 to level the match at 1-1. Buyckx, Eleni Louka and Dani Medvedeva each won their first sets.
While Sophia Hatton and Jenna Thompson were able to claim second set victories and force a third set, Louka and Medvedeva fell in the following two sets, clinching the victory for Notre Dame.
The Tigers will return to action next weekend when they travel to take on No. 38 Wake Forest on Friday and No. 9 NC State on Sunday. First serve Friday is set for 5 p.m., while Sunday’s match will begin at noon.
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