Tigers Drop Match to No. 24 South Carolina, Anttila Earns Singles Victory

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Women’s Tennis team fell to long-time foe No. 24 South Carolina in a Valentine’s Day match on the road, 6-1. Clemson had won seven of its first eight matches to start the year before dropping the Palmetto Series presented by SC Education Lottery. 

“It was a tough battle today,” Head coach Boomer Saia said. “We need to be better at getting started early, especially against our rivals. We will learn from this and be better for it.” 

The Tigers began their battle in doubles as the No. 27 ranked duo of Ayana Akli and Olympe Lancelot defeated Eleni Louka and Jenna Thompson 6-2. South Carolina took the doubles point shortly after defeating Sophia Hatton and Alina Tsyurpalevych on court three.

In singles, the Tigers put up a fight as Alex Anttila won her first set against Lancelot 6-3. The duo went on to battle as Lancelot came back and won in the second set 6-2. The pair duked it out in a super tiebreak set where Anttila ultimately came out on top, winning 10-7 and giving the Tigers a win in singles. 

Up next, the Tigers are back home, taking on Coastal Carolina and Mercer in a doubleheader on Saturday, February 17, at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The event is free for all to attend. The match against Mercer will have a theme, with local Greek organizations set to come out and cheer on the Tigers.  

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Clemson 1, South Carolina 6

Doubles:

1. #27 Ayana Akli and Olympe Lancelot (USC) def. Eleni Louka and Jenna Thompson (CU), 6-2
2. Shahar Biran and Misa Malkin (USC) led Cristina Mayorova and Leigh Van Zyl (CU) 5-2 
3. Sarah Hamner and Elise Mills (USC) def. Sophia Hatton and Alina Tsyurpalevych (CU), 6-0

Order of Finish: 3, 1

Singles :

1. #3 Ayana Akli (USC) def. Eleni Louka (CU), 6-1, 6-1.
2. #4 Sarah Hamner (USC) def. Cristina Mayorova (CU), 6-2, 6-2.
3. #108 Shahar Biran (USC) def. Jenna Thompson (CU), 6-3, 6-4.
4. Misa Malkin (USC) def. Sophia Hatton (CU), 6-3, 6-3.
5. Elise Mills (USC) def. Leigh Van Zyl (CU), 6-2, 6-3.
6. Alex Anttila (CU) def. Olympe Lancelot (USC), 6-3, 2-6, 1-0 (7)

Order of Finish: 1, 2, 5, 3, 4, 6