Underclassmen Lead No. 15 Clemson Past College of Charleston

March 21, 2011

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC – Clemson’s freshmen and sophomores bolstered the middle of the lineup in helping the 15th-ranked Tigers (13-5) to a 7-0 win over the College of Charleston (7-7) in Mt. Pleasant on Monday. The women’s tennis team has now won three straight, and are set to get back in to conference play this weekend.

Freshmen Masha Belaya were the first two to finish in singles, and sophomore Caroline Magnusson won the clinching match as the Tigers improved to 22-1 all-time against the Cougars.

Clemson swept the doubles point, as Vyskocilova and Laurianne Henry won, 8-3 over Harrell and Newman at flight three, and clinched at flight one with Belaya and Magnusson taking an 8-4 decision. Bek and Ciolkowski also added a win at two, 8-3 over Casey and Lee.

Vyskocilova was the first to finish in singles, taking a 6-1, 6-2 at flight three over Kinsey Casey. The freshman is ranked 123rd in the nation, and improved to 15-5 in her freshman campaign.

Belaya was the next to defeat her opponent, a 6-0, 6-2 win over Irene Viana at no. 5 singles. Belaya improved to 16-9 on the season, and has won two in a row.

Magnusson, a sophomore, clinched the match for Clemson with a 6-1, 6-1 win in her second career match at flight four. Her win over Katie Lee improved her overall record to 13-6 and 10-3 in dual match play this season.

Laurianne Henry snapped a four-match skid with a 6-2, 7-5 win at flight six over Olivia McMillan. Henry trailed in the second set, 4-2, but came back to win five of the next six games and clinch her match.

The Cougars put up outstanding fights at the top of the lineup, with Emma Hayman taking the first set over No. 12 Josipa Bek, 6-2, and Caroline Newman taking the first set from No. 113 Nelly Ciolkowski, 6-2.

Bek and Ciolkowski each rallied in their respective matches to take the second set, 7-5, and force a deciding third set. Each handled their respective opponent in a super tiebreak set, with Bek defeating Hayman, 10-2, and Ciolkowski downing Newman, 10-3.

The Tigers will get back into ACC play this week as they take on Wake Forest at noon on Saturday and NC State on Sunday at 1:00 pm.

Full Results:

#15 Clemson (13-5) def. College of Charleston (7-7), 7-0 March 21, 2011 – Mt. Pleasant, SC Singles: 1. #12 Caroline Magnusson (CU) def. Katie Lee (CofC), 6-1, 6-1 5. Laurianne Henry (CU) def. Olivia McMillan (CofC), 6-2, 7-5 Order of finish: 3,5,4*,6,1,2 Doubles: 1. Belaya/Magnusson (CU) def. Hayman/Viana (CofC), 8-4 2. Bek/Ciolkowski (CU) def. Casey/Lee (CofC), 8-3 3. Vyskocilova/Henry (CU) def. Harrell/Newman (CofC), 8-3 Order of finish: 3,1,2