Tigers Drop Championship Match to No.7 NC State in ITA Kickoff Weekend

RALEIGH N.C. –Wrapping up the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Raleigh, the Tigers (4-1) fought hard against No. 7 NC State (5-0) and ultimately fell 4-0, serving as the team’s first loss of the season. The Tigers fought hard in doubles but lost the point after courts 1 and 2 secured the point in the 57th all-time meeting between the programs.

“It was a tough one today for our group,” Head Coach Boomer Saia said. “We must continue to find ways against the best teams to elevate our tennis in big moments. We will get back to work this week and prepare ourselves for next Saturday.”

NC State came into the weekend 4-0 on the season with wins over SMU, Campbell, NCCU, and Alabama. NC State has dropped one set all season and has not dropped a point, going 7-0 in all three, and 4-0 against Alabama. 

Jenna Thompson and Eleni Louka faced formidable opposition in doubles play against No. 9 ranked duo Sophie Abrams and Anna Zyryanova, losing 6-1. Cristina Mayorova and Leigh Van Zyl fell to the No.7 duo Sophie Abrams and Anna Zyryanova 6-2. Court 3’s match was unfinished as Alina Tsyurpalevych and Sophia Hatton were battling with No. 52 Gabriella Broadfoot and Abigail Rencheli 3-4. 

In Singles, Mayorova went toe-to-toe with No. 27 Rencheli for three sets. Losing the first one in a tough 5-7 battle, Mayorova came back and swiftly won her second match 6-0. The third set, however, was left unfinished, with Rencheli leading 4-3.

Tsyurpalevych battled hard as she took on No. 19 Abrams. In the first set, Tsyurpalevych defeated Abrams 6-4; she kept that momentum going but lost the second set 6-7 with a tie-break score of 7-3 and ultimately fell in the third set 6-3.

After a delayed start, Hatton went toe-to-toe with No. 116 Zampardo. In the first set of her unfinished match, Hatton won 7-6, with a tie-break of 7-5.

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Final: Clemson 0, NC State 4

Records: Clemson: 4-1; NC State: 5-1

Doubles

1. #9 Sophie Abrams/Anna Zyryanova (NCSU) def. Thompson/Louka (CU), 6-1
2. #7 Amelia Rajecki/Maddy Zampardo (NCSU), def.Mayorova/Van Zyl (CU), 6-2 
3. Hatton/Tsyurpalevych (CU) led. #52 Gabriella Broadfoot/Abigail Rencheli, 4-3 Unfinished

Order of Finish: 1, 2

Singles

1. #3 Amelia Rajecki (NCSU) def. Eleni Louka (CU), 6-2, 6-4
2. #19 Sophie Abrams (NCSU) lead Christina Mayorova (CU), 7-5, 0-6, 4-3 Unfinished
3. #40 Anna Zyryanova (NCSU) def. Jenna Thompson (CU), 6-1, 6-1
4. #19 Sophie Abrams (NCSU)  def. Alina Tsyurpalevych (CU),4- 6, 7-6, 6-3
5. Sophia Hatton (CU) lead #116 Maddy Zampardo (NCSU), 7-6 Unfinished
6. Gina Dittmann(NCSU) lead Leigh Van Zyl (CU),6-0, 5-1 Unfinished

Order of Finish: 3, 1, 4

The Tigers look ahead to their next match back at home against Charlotte at 2 p.m. at the Duckworth Indoor Tennis Facility. Charlotte is coming off of a win against Oregon in their consultation match during the ITA Kickoff Weekend tournament.