Tigers Down Virginia, 7-0, In Sunday Women’s Tennis Action

April 6, 2008

CLEMSON, SC – The Tigers cruised to a 7-0 victory over Virginia in Sunday women’s tennis action, winning their fifth straight match, all against conference opponents.

Clemson is now 10-9 on the year with a 6-3 mark in ACC play, while the Cavaliers fell to 9-10 overall and 5-4 against league foes.

The Tigers (10-9, 6-3 ACC) took the 1-0 lead into singles play for the 15th time this season with wins at the first and third doubles positions. Ina Hadziselimovic and Alexandra Luc easily defeated the Cavalier team of Jennifer Stevens and Hampton Williams, 8-2, to improve to 12-5 in dual matches. The tandem of Ani Mijacika and Carol Salge, ranked eighth nationally, then clinched the point for the Tigers at the top spot. They defeated Lara Alexander and Amanda Rales by an 8-3 margin.

Virginia avoided the doubles sweep, as Maggie Yahner and Lindsey Pereira won over Estefania Balda and Federica van Adrichem, 8-3, at no. 2.

Salge posted the first singles victory for Clemson, winning 6-1, 6-2 over Pereira at the third position, while Laurianne Henry defeated Cavalier Cathy Nimitz at no. 6 (7-5, 6-1).

Hadziselimovic then clinched the match for the Tigers with a three-set victory at the fourth position. She won the set by a 6-1 margin before dropping the second, 7-6(5). The Clemson sophomore then recovered for the 6-1 decision in the third set and her 17th win of the year.

Balda, currently listed at #109 in the singles poll, rebounded from a loss in the first set to win the second and third over Rales at no. 2 (2-6, 6-3, 6-1). Mijacika pulled out the win at the top position, going to tie breaks in both sets.

Alexandra Luc then concluded the sweep with a come-from-behind win at no. 5 over Alexander (5-7, 6-1, 6-1).

The Tigers will wrap up the 2008 regular season next weekend as they play host to Maryland and Boston College at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center.

#23 Clemson 7, #40 Virginia 0 Singles

1. #2 Ani Mijacika (CU) def. Jennifer Stevens (UVA), 7-6(5), 7-6(3)
2. #109 Estefania Balda (CU) def. Amanda Rales (UVA), 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
3. #85 Carol Salge (CU) def. Lindsey Pereira (UVA), 6-1, 6-2
4. Ina Hadziselimovic (CU) def. Maggie Yahner (UVA), 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-1
5. Alexandra Luc (CU) vs. Lara Alexander (UVA), 5-7, 6-1, 6-3
6. Laurianne Henry (CU) def. Cathy Nimitz (UVA), 7-5, 6-1

Order of Finish: 3, 6, 4, 2, 1, 5 Doubles

1. #8 Mijacika/Salge (CU) def. Alexander/Rales (UVA), 8-3
2. Yahner/Pereira (UVA) def. Balda/Federica Van Adrichem (CU), 8-3
3. Hadziselimovic/Luc (CU) def. Stevens/Hampton Williams (UVA), 8-2

Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2 Records: Clemson – 10-9, 6-3 ACC; Virginia – 9-10, 5-4 ACC