No. 20 Tigers Fall 4-3 at No. 22 Duke Friday Afternoon

CLEMSON, S.C. – In the 50^th all-time meeting between the Clemson and Duke women’s tennis teams, the Blue Devils prevailed 4-3 on Friday afternoon in Durham. The Tigers, ranked 20th, fell to 13-8 on the season and 8-4 in ACC play, while the Blue Devils, ranked 22nd, improved to 14-7 and 9-2 in conference action.

In doubles play, all three matches were close throughout. Jessy Rompies and Beatrice Gumulya, ranked third nationally, got the first win of the match by defeating their Duke opponent 8-6 at No. 1. The duo is now 26-4 overall and 8-2 in ACC matches. Romy Koelzer and Yuilynn Miao at No. 2 and Joana Eidukonyte and Daniela Ruiz at No. 3 both saw their matches come down to the wire. Ultimately, No. 74 Eidukonyte and Ruiz fell in a tiebreak, 8-7(5), and minutes later Koelzer and Miao were defeated 8-6 to give Duke the doubles point.

With the Blue Devils leading 1-0, No. 64 Gumulya evened the match at one apiece with a 6-2, 6-1 win over No. 73 Samantha Harris at No. 3. However, Duke rebounded to win the next three singles matches to clinch the match. Chalena Scholl gave Duke the lead with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Ruiz at No. 5. No. 117 Rachel Kahan then extended the lead as she defeated Rompies 6-2, 6-3 at No. 4.  Eidukonyte, Clemson’s highest ranked player at No. 15, was defeated 4-6, 2-6 by No. 41 Ester Goldfeld on court two. Koelzer, ranked No. 33 and playing in the top spot for the Tigers, picked up a nice win over No. 103 Beatrice Capra, winning 6-3, 6-2. Miao, playing at No. 6, lost the first set but rallied to win 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 1-0 (13-11).

The Tigers return home for their final two regular season matches. Clemson hosts Boston College this Sunday, April 12 at 11 a.m. before concluding the regular season with Senior Day on Friday, April 17 against Notre Dame. The match against the Irish is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.