Tigers Split the Afternoon, Defeat Charleston Southern and Fall to Virginia

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson Tigers (9-5, 1-3 ACC) closed out the double header on Sunday, March 3, strong as they defeated Charleston Southern (5-4, 0-0 Big South) 4-0 after falling to fifth ranked Virginia (12-2, 4-0 ACC) earlier in the day 4-0.

Today was a “full day of Tennis” said Head Coach Boomer Saia. “Credit to Virginia – they’ve got a class team and a lot of talent. We gave ourselves a chance, and I think those are moments we need to look to take advantage of and keep the pressure on. We’ve got to learn and grow in those moments. I want to say we learned from that and kept the pressure on Charleston Southern, who’s made the tournament the last three years. They’re a class team. For it to be the third match on the weekend, and for us to be without Eleni, I was really proud of how we responded and excited to get back healthy.” 

The double header was highlighted by Clemson’s impressive performance over Charleston Southern. First, Sophia Hatton and Anila Tsyurpalevych won their match 6-2 on Court 2. Then Leigh Van Zyl and Cristina Mayorova secured the doubles point for the Tigers as they won 6-4.

Clemson continued their momentum into Singles. Leigh Van Zyl started the Tigers off with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Khyanna Singh. Alexandra Anttila won her match soon after, finishing 6-2, 6-0. Sophia Hatton then sealed the victory for Clemson in the third set as she went 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. 

Despite their best efforts against Virginia’s nationally ranked doubles competitors, Clemson fell 0-1. The Cavaliers No. 20 Elaine Chervinsky and Melodie Collard defeated the Tiger’s Leigh Van Zyl and Cristina Mayorova in a close 6-4 match. Additionally, Virginia’s No. 17 Hibah Shaikh and Natasha Subhash defeated Clemson’s Sophia Hatton and Alina Tsyurpalevych 6-1. As a result of Virginia’s two previously mentioned victories, the third doubles match with Clemson’s Alexandra Anttila and Jenna Thompson against Virginia’s Annabelle Xu and Sara Ziodato went unfinished at 5-5. 

Virginia then went on to go 3-0 in singles and secure the 4-0 win overall. Cristina Mayorova’s match against Annabelle Xu ended early as it was retired at 2-5, giving the point to Virginia. With Clemson falling 0-6, 2-6 on Court two and 3-6, 1-6 on Court six, the Tigers lost the first match of the day. 

Up Next: The Tigers will travel to Durham, N.C. this on Friday, March 8 to face No. 18 Duke at 3:30 p.m. in an ACC matchup. 

Clemson vs. Virginia

Doubles vs. UVA (2,1):

1. Elaine Chervinsky/Melodie Collard (UVA) def. Leigh Van Zyl/Cristina Mayorova (CU), 6-4.
2. Hibah Shaikh/Natasha Subhash (UVA) def. Sophia Hatton/Alina Tsyurpalevych (CU), 6-1.
3. Alexandra Anttila/Jenna Thompson (CU) vs. Sara Ziodato/Annabelle Xu (UVA), 5-5, unfinished.

Singles vs. UVA (1,2,6)

1. Cristina Mayorova (CU) vs. Annabelle Xu (UVA) 2-5, retired.
2.  Hibah Shaikh (UVA) def. Daniella Medvedeva (CU) 0-6, 2-6.
3. Jenna Thompson (CU) vs. Natasha Subhash (UVA) 5-7, 1-0, unfinished.
4. Sophia Hatton (CU) vs. Sara Ziodato (UVA) 3-6, 1-2, unfinished.
5. Leigh Van Zyl (CU) vs. Elaine Chervinsky (UVA) 3-6, 1-2, unfinished.
6. Melodie Collard (UVA) def. Alexandra Anttila (CU) 3-6, 1-6.

Clemson vs. Charleston Southern

Doubles vs. CSU (2,1)

1. Cristina Mayorova/Leigh Van Zyl (CU) vs. Noa Boyd/Jessica Braun (CSU), 6-4
2. Sophia Hatton/ Alina Tsyurpalevych (CU) vs. Maria Skegro/Amila Jusufbegovich (CSU), 6-2
3. Jenna Thompson/Alexandra Anttila (CU) vs. Kassandra Di Staulo/ Brenda Yoris (CSU) 5-5, unfinished

Singles vs. CSU (5,6,4)

1. Cristina Mayorova (CU) vs. Amila Jusufbegovich (CSU), 3-6, 7-5, unfinished.
2. Daniella Medvedeva (CU) vs. Jessica Braun (CSU), 6-7, 2-1, unfinished. 
3. Jenna Thompson (CU) vs. Noa Boyd (CSU), 3-6, 6-3, 4-2, unfinished. 
4. Sophia Hatton (CU) vs. Maria Skegro (CSU), 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. 
5. Leigh Van Zyl (CU) def. Khyanna Singh (CSU), 6-3, 6-0.
6. Alexandra Anttila (CU) def. Brenda Yoris (CSU), 6-2, 6-0.