14th-ranked women's tennis sweeps away Billikens

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark – A fine performance by the University of Arkansas Razorback women’s tennis team on Friday produced a clean sweep of singles and doubles over Saint Louis, 7-0, at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center.

“This match is a solid start to our spring season, and against as good a team as St. Louis has brought in here in my six years,” said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty.

Arkansas (1-0) looked to use doubles as a cornerstone in earning the first point, as they did many times last season.

The freshmen duo of Emily Carbone and Kate Lukomskaya earned their first doubles wins of the spring season, 8-1, over Joe Becker and Caitlin McKenna. Eighth-ranked Nanar Airapetian and Anouk Tigu dropped Hailey Elmore and Casey Miller, 8-3, to clinch the doubles point for the Hogs.

“We are confident that tonight indicated last year’s dominant doubles can be just as good this season,” Hegarty said.

The Razorbacks managed seven straight-set wins over the Billikens (0-1) in route to the victory, and will take on 34th-ranked Tulsa Golden Hurricane Sunday at 12 p.m.

“I am pleased with the way we took care of business,” Hegarty said. “Tulsa will be a big step up on Sunday and I’m sure we’ll be ready for the challenge.”

Tigu, ranked No. 66 in singles, dropped Miller, 6-1, 6-0, to start the singles scoring for Arkansas. Senior Ela Kaluder zoomed past Becker, 6-1, 6-1, setting up Airapetian to clinch the team match, 6-0, 6-3, over McKenna. Victories by Lukomskaya and Carbone pushed the Razorback lead to 5-0 before No. 1 Aurelija Miseviciute polished off the triumph with her 20th win of the year, 6-3, 6-0, over Hailee Elmore.

Live stats will be available on ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM for Sunday’s noon match..

Singles1. #2 Aurelija Miseviciute (UA) def. Hailee Elmore (SL), 6-3, 6-0.2. #66 Anouk Tigu (UA) def. Casey Miller (SL), 6-1, 6-0.3. Ela Kaluder (UA) def. Joe Becker (SL), 6-1, 6-1.4. Emily Carbone (UA) def. Sarah Septien (SL), 6-1, 6-1.5. Nanar Airapetian (UA) def. Caitlin McKenna (SL), 6-0, 6-3.6. Kate Lukomskaya (UA) def. Kasia Tomalak (SL), 6-3, 6-2.Order of Finish: (2,3,5*,6,4,1)

Doubles1. #8 Nanar Airapetian/Anouk Tigu (UA) def. Hailee Elmore/Casey Miller (SL), 8-3.2. Aurelija Miseviciute/Ela Kaluder (UA) def. Sarah Septien/Kasia Tomalak (SL), 8-3.3. Emily Carbone/Kate Lukomskaya (UA) def. Joe Becker/Caitlin McKenna (SL), 8-1.Order of Finish: (3,1*,2)