Box Score
Clemson, S.C. — Ali DeSpain earned her first career singles win on Saturday afternoon as the Tigers (6-12, 0-8 ACC) fell to No. 15 Virginia (10-2, 6-1 ACC), 6-1. In her match on Court 5, DeSpain took the first-set to extra games after keeping the lead within reach the entire time against No. 91 Sofia Munera but fell 6-7 (3-7) in a tiebreak. The second frame was just as evenly matched as the first but the sophomore pulled ahead, 5-3, before winning it, 6-4, forcing a third set. The third was closely contested yet again as DeSpain and Munera traded leads several times before the South Carolina native won three-straight points to take the match 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 14-12.
“Going into the match I aimed to compete hard and play aggressive,” said DeSpain. “I had a lot of opportunities in the first set, unfortunately it didn’t go my way. I was able to bounce back in the second set and tie breaker by stepping up my game and fighting hard. All the adversity in this year makes this win all the more special. Excited to get back out there tomorrow against Virginia Tech.”
Of Note:
Up Next:
Clemson returns to action tomorrow in Blacksburg, Va. where they will face Virginia Tech at noon at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.
For complete coverage of the Clemson women’s tennis team, follow @ClemsonWTennis on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
