Box Score (PDF)
CLEMSON, S.C. – Three Tigers won their singles matches, but the Clemson women’s tennis team lost a tough 4-3 decision to a solid 20th-ranked Virginia team on Friday afternoon indoors at the Duckworth Family Tennis Facility. With the loss, the Tigers dropped to 5-8 (1-4 ACC) on the season, while the Cavaliers improved to 10-2 (4-1 ACC).
Photos by Melina Alberti:
“Our Tigers fell short 4-3 of a great upset against a solid #20 Virginia team today," said Head Coach Nancy Harris. "Standout performances were by Sydney Riley, who is playing some of her best collegiate tennis ever, Fernanda Navarro, who remained steadfast in closing her match, and Laura Marti, who won with her speed and heart, fighting for every point. I believe the team is close to a breakthrough, and must continue to bring their spirit, hard work and focus. Congratulations to the Cavaliers for their victory.”
Virginia opened doubles play with a win at No. 3, before the Tigers’ duo of Ally Miller-Krasilnikov and Sydney Riley won a tight 6-4 contest at No. 2. Unfortunately, Clemson’s Marie-Alexandre Leduc and Fernanda Navarro, currently ranked first in the nation in doubles, could not pull out the victory on Court 1, falling 6-3 to the Cavaliers’ Chloe Gullickson and Amber O’Dell.
The Cavaliers clinched the team victory with wins at No. 4, No. 5 and No. 1, in that order, before the Tigers won the remaining three singles matches to bring the final score to 4-3. First, Navarro claimed a 6-4, 7-6(5) win at No. 2 singles. Then, Laura Marti came from behind after losing the first set to win in a third-set super tiebreaker (2-6, 7-5, 1-0(9)). Riley picked up the final point for the Tigers with a hard-fought three-set win at No. 3 singles, by a score of 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.
UP NEXTThe Tigers return to action on Sunday, March 3 when they play host to 40th-ranked Boston College. The match is set for an 11 a.m. first serve at the Duckworth Family Tennis Facility.
