CLEMSON S.C. – In the second doubleheader of the season, the Clemson Tigers secured victories over Georgia State (6-1) and College of Charleston (5-1). The Tigers improved their record to 7-1 on the season.
“It was a great two wins for our group today,” head coach Boomer Saia said. “It’s always hard to win two matches on the same day, and our team handled it very well. We faced adversity after dropping the doubles point against the College of Charleston, and we had the right mindset and response when we came out during singles. I am proud of our group, and it is an excellent start to the season. We look forward to playing the Gamecocks in Columbia on Wednesday.”
Clemson 6, Georgia State 1
In doubles, duo Sophia Hatton and Alexandra Anttila delivered the first victory by swiftly defeating Sophie Wagemaker and Mackenzie Leopold, 6-1.
Eleni Louka and Jenna Thompson quickly followed by clenching the doubles point against Silvia Martinez and Lindsay Tulenko, 6-1. This marks the sixth time the pair clinched the doubles point this season.
In singles, Cristina Mayorova was the first to secure a win by defeating Ninon Matinache on court two, 6-2, 6-2, to further extend the Clemson lead over the Golden Eagles. Quickly following Mayorova, Hatton secured her first singles win of the day over Nanka Kijma 6-2, 6-3.
Clenching the win for the Tigers, Thompson earned the third singles win of the match to secure the 4-0 lead. The senior defeated Lindsay Tulenko in an easy 6-2, 6-1 match. Louka, Van Zyl, and Anttila played out the rest of their matches. Louka easily defeated Silvia Martinez 6-2, 6-4. Van Zyl won in a thrilling tiebreak set 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (9-1). Anttila fought hard for three sets but ultimately fell to Paula Hijos 6-2, 3-6, 5-7.
With the win over the Golden Eagles, Saia tabbed his sixth win of the season and sixth victory as head coach for the Tigers.
Clemson 5, College of Charleston 1
In doubles, duo Anttila and Hatton downed Oziera Ahmad and Francesca Salvato 6-1. On courts one and two, duos Louka and Thompson, along with Mayorova and Van Zyl, were defeated 3-6 and 5-7, respectively.
After a couple of rain delays, the match made its way to the indoor facility.
In singles, Hatton delivered the first point of the night for Clemson after defeating Halli Trinkle 6-2, 6-2. Following swiftly, Van Zyl easily bested Francesca Salvato 6-2, 6-1. Mayorova put the Tigers up 3-1 by beating Trinkle 6-3, 6-2.
In a dramatic ending, Louka secured the win for Clemson after taking down her opponent 7-5, 6-3, marking her fifth victory in singles for the season. Shortly after, Anttila secured a victory on court six as she bested Bredemann 6-1, 7-5 to secure the fifth and final point.
Next up, the Tigers will play their in-state rival, South Carolina, in Columbia on Wednesday, February 14, at 4 p.m.
—-–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Clemson 6, Georgia Southern 1
Doubles
- Thompson/Louka (CU) def. Martinez/Tulenko (GSU), 6-1
- Keranen/Martinache (GSU) lead Mayorova/Van Zyl (CU), 4-3, Unfinished
- Hatton/Anttila (CU) def. Wagemaker/Leopold (GSU), 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 1
Singles
- Eleni Louka (CU) def. Silvia Martinez (GSU), 6-2, 6-4
- Christina Mayorova (CU) def. Ninon Martinache (GSU), 6-2, 6-2
- Jenna Thompson (CU) def. Lindsay Tulenko (GSU), 6-2, 6-1
- Sophia Hatton (CU) def. Nanka Kijma (GSU), 6-2, 6-3
- Leigh Van Zyl (CU) def. Mackenzie Leopold (GSU), 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (9-1)
- Paula Hijos (GSU) def. Alexandra Anttila (CU) 2-6, 6-3, 7-5
Order of Finish: 2,4,3,1,5,6
Clemson 5, College of Charleston 1
Doubles
- Cubitt/Trinkle (CoC) def. Thompson/Louka (CU), 6-3
- Brotzman/McKee (CoC) def. Mayorova/Van Zyl (CU), 7-5
- Hatton/Anttila (CU) def. Ahmad/Salvato (CoC), 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2
Singles
- Eleni Louka (CU) def. Maggie Cubitt (CoC), 7-5, 6-3
- Christina Mayorova (CU) def. Hallie Trinkle (CoC), 6-3, 6-2
- Jenna Thompson (CU) vs. Maja Jekauc (CoC), 5-7, 5-3
- Sophia Hatton (CU) def. Oziera Ahmad (CoC), 6-1, 6-2
- Leigh Van Zyl (CU) def. Francesca Salvato (CoC) 6-2, 6-1
- Alexandra Anttila (CU) def. Elle Bredemann (CoC) 6-1, 7-5
Order of Finish: 4, 5, 2, 1 , 6
