Tigers Defeat Troy State In First Round of NCAA Women’s Tennis Regional

May 15, 2004

CLEMSON, SC – The seventh-ranked Clemson women’s tennis team defeated Troy State on Saturday afternoon by a score of 4-0 in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Tennis Regional. The Tigers improve to 23-3 overall, while the Lady Trojans complete the season with a 14-8 record. Clemson will face in-state rival South Carolina in the second round of the tournament on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center.

“Troy State played a great match,” said Clemson Head Coach Nancy Harris. “I was happy to have a tough match today. I think we needed it to prepare for tomorrow, especially after having three weeks off following the ACC Championships. This match was very reflective of our season, as we have been in many matches that we have had to fight. Our girls play very well from behind because they are fighters. Clemson versus South Carolina is always a battle. Both teams have improved since we played earlier this season. It should be a great match.”

Troy State Head Coach Eric Hayes said, “Our program has made great strides in the past one and a half years. We achieved one of our goals in making the tournament but today we started slow and that’s tough to overcome. We had every opportunity to upset Clemson but we just didn’t do it. Clemson is a very physically fit team and they do not make many unforced errors. I am disappointed that we came out on the short end today.”

In doubles action, the Tigers’ team of Julie Coin and Alix Lacelarie won an 8-0 decision over Troy State’s Cristina Mancheno and Tsitsi Masviba at flight two. Clemson’s Richele LeSaldo and Karen Rombouts were victorious at number three doubles to clinch the team doubles point for the Tigers, defeating the Lady Trojans’ Laura Alarcon and Suzanne Jones by a score of 8-4.

In singles play, the Tigers’ Coin won a 6-2, 6-0 decision over Luisa Lopez of Troy State at flight one. Ioana Paun of Clemson defeated her Lady Trojan opponent, Cristina Mancheno, by a score of 6-3, 7-5 at number five singles to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead. Clemson’s Maria Brito won a 6-4, 7-6(7) decision over Tsitsi Masviba at flight four to clinch the match for the Tigers.

Clemson will play host to South Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Regional on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center. The Gamecocks defeated Wake Forest by a score of 4-1 on Saturday morning to advance to Sunday’s second round match against Clemson. Earlier this season, the Tigers defeated South Carolina by a score of 4-3 in Columbia.

Clemson 4, Troy State 0

Singles

1. Julie Coin (CU) def. Luisa Lopez (TSU) 6-2, 6-0

2. Daniela Alvarez (CU) vs. Carolina Aravena (TSU) DNF

3. Alix Lacelarie (CU) vs. Suzanne Jones (TSU) DNF

4. Maria Brito (CU) def. Tsitsi Masviba (TSU) 6-4, 7-6(7)

5. Ioana Paun (CU) def. Cristina Mancheno (TSU) 6-3, 7-5

6. Karen Rombouts (CU) vs. Laura Alarcon (TSU) DNF

Order of Finish – 1, 5, 4

Doubles

1. Alvarez/Brito (CU) vs. Aravena/Lopez (TSU) DNF

2. Coin/Lacelarie (CU) def. Mancheno/Masviba (TSU) 8-0