Columbia, S.C. – No. 18 South Carolina women’s tennis swept Mississippi State on Easter Sunday at the Carolina Tennis Center. The Gamecocks honored their graduating class of Ayana Akli, Shahar Biran, and Elise Mills before going on to dominate the Bulldogs.
In doubles, the Gamecocks led on all three courts but it was the junior duo of Misa Malkin and Olympe Lancelot who recorded the first win. The pair dominated their match, shutting their opponents out for a 6-0 victory.
Fittingly on senior day, Biran and Mills clinched the point for the Gamecocks. The duo fell behind a break early and trailed 1-3, but battled back to tie things up at 3-3 and break again later to win it 6-4.
The Gamecocks again were unstoppable in singles play, claiming first sets on five of the six courts.
The first player to close out her match was No. 9 Sarah Hamner. The junior posted a 6-2, 6-1 win at the No. 2 courts for her 27th win of the season. She is now 14-1 in dual play and 7-1 against SEC opponents.
The next point came from Malkin at the No. 5 position. Malkin played a near-perfect match, only allowing her opponent only one game, winning it 6-1, 6-0.
At the top of the lineup, No. 7 Akli clinched the match with her 6-1, 6-2 victory. Akli is now 23-8 on the season and 10-4 in dual play.
The Gamecocks continued the momentum with Biran tallying a 6-2, 6-3 win at the No. 3 position and Mills posting a 1-6, 6-2, 1-0(5) comeback victory from No. 4.
The final point came from Lancelot on Court 6 where she won her match 6-4, 7-5 for her sixth-consecutive singles win.
The women’s tennis team will continue SEC action on the road next, heading to Lexington, Kentucky, to take on the Wildcats. The match will be on Friday, April 5 at 5:00 p.m.
For all the latest South Carolina women’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockWTennis).
#18 South Carolina 7, Mississippi State 0
Doubles (order of finish: 3, 2)
- #30 Ayana Akli/Sarah Hamner (SC) vs. Athina Pitta/Alexandra Mikhailuk (MS) 5-3, unfinished
- Shahar Biran/Elise Mills (SC) def. Dharani Niroshan/Maria Rizzolo (MS) 6-4
- Olympe Lancelot/Misa Malkin (SC) def. Chloe Cirotte/Alessia Tagliente (MS) 6-0
Singles (order of finish: 2, 5, 1, 3, 4, 6)
- #7 Ayana Akli (SC) def. Alexandra Mikhailuk (MS) 6-1, 6-2
- #9 Sarah Hamner (SC) def. Maria Rizzolo (MS) 6-2, 6-1
- Shahar Biran (SC) def. Chloe Cirotte (MS) 6-2, 6-3
- Elise Mills (SC) def. Athina Pitta (MS) 1-6, 6-2, 1-0…