Clemson Earns 6-1 Win in Marathon Over Pitt Friday

Box Score (PDF) 

CLEMSON, S.C. – In a match that lasted five hours and 16 minutes and included a one hour and 20 minute rain delay, the Clemson women’s tennis team earned a solid 6-1 victory over Pitt on Friday at the Duckworth Family Tennis Facility. With the win, the Tigers improved to 9-14 (3-10 ACC), while the Panthers fell to 4-16 (0-13 ACC) with the loss.

The Panthers had the advantage for the first 30 minutes of doubles play, which included a win at No. 3, however, when play resumed after the 1:20 weather delay, the Tigers came back strong. Clemson’s No. 1 and 2 doubles teams were both trailing 3-4 when play was halted, but both teams earned a break in the first game after the delay, and held on to the momentum from there. Marie-Alexandre Leduc and Fernanda Navarro won three-straight games to win 6-4 on Court 1. At No. 2, Ally Miller-Krasilnikov and Sydney Riley won in a tiebreak, 7-6(1) to clinch the doubles point for the Tigers.

In singles play, after Pitt won at No. 3, the Tigers rattled off five consecutive wins to claim the 6-1 victory. Laura Marti won 6-3, 6-3 at No. 6, followed by Alex Angyalosy with a 7-6(0), 6-1 win at No. 5 to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead. Riley claimed the first of three three-set wins on Court 4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. After losing her first set, Leduc battled back for a 5-7, 6-0, 7-6(5) victory at No. 1 singles, and Navarro completed the match with a 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 win at No. 2.

Photos by Emily Goad:

HEAD COACH NANCY HARRIS QUOTE
“I couldn’t have been more proud for our team today as they came together to defeat our ACC foe Pittsburgh. After a rough start, the rain delay gave us a much needed break and a chance to turn the momentum in our favor. Our No. 1 and No. 2 doubles regrouped and did a marvelous job to come from behind to win their sets. In singles, every match was close, while our No. 1, 2 and 4 fought back to clinch their matches in three sets. Our No. 5 and No. 6 players’ discipline and focus allowed them to take straight set victories.

“The challenges of this season have made this team stronger. Today’s win showed that with persistence and by never giving up, you are eventually rewarded. Congratulations to our seniors Marie, Fernanda and Ally, and to our entire team for the win today. We are looking forward to Senior Day on Sunday at noon, as our team competes with Syracuse for the last of the regular season matches.”

UP NEXT
The Tigers play their final home match of the 2019 season on Sunday, April 14 vs. 31^st-ranked Syracuse at 12 PM at the Duckworth Family Tennis Facility. Prior to the match, starting at 11:45 AM, Clemson will honor seniors Ally Miller-Krasilnikov, Marie-Alexandre Leduc and Fernanda Navarro as they play their final home match.