17th-ranked Hogs dominate Memphis 7-0

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It was a team effort by the 17th-ranked University of Arkansas Razorbacks in a stellar victory over Memphis, 7-0, at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center on Saturday.

Although it was a snowy day in northwest Arkansas, not even the cold temperatures could cool off the Razorbacks (5-2) in route to claiming all nine matches.

“Memphis is a team on the rise and tough team to dominate, but we were able to dominate today,” said Razorback head coach Michael Hegarty.

Arkansas started the match off in the right direction, claiming the doubles point after a clean sweep.

Mixing up the lineup in doubles, senior Aurelija Miseviciute and freshman Kate Lukomskaya put the Hogs ahead, 8-2, over Dara Toulch and Kristin Chamberlain. Number 12 ranked Nanar Airapetian and Anouk Tigu nailed down the clincher over Ashely Murdock and Sarah Irvin, 8-2, giving Arkansas the early lead. Ela Kaluder and Emily Carbone closed out doubles, 9-8(4) over Robyn Jones and Marjorie Ondeck.

After the sweeping the Lady Tigers (5-7) in doubles, Arkansas was out to continue their dominance in singles as they garnered six straight-set wins.

Kaluder started off the scoring, 6-0, 6-1, over Irvin and was one of four Razorbacks to blank an opponent in the first-set. Lukomskaya extended the lead to 3-0 after a straight-set victory over Toulch, 6-1, 6-0. Sophomore and 92nd-ranked Tigu shot past Ondeck, 6-0, 6-3, clinching her 20th win of the season and the match for the Hogs.

“It was pleasing to see our team carry over that magnificent effort during doubles into singles and successfully take over this match,” Hegarty said.

Miseviciute, currently ranked fourth nationally in singles, eased past Murdock, 6-0, 6-3. Carbone continued the hard-hitting by Arkansas with her 20th win as a Razorback, 6-0, 7-5 over Jones, as Airapetian closed out the match, 7-5, 6-3, over Amanda Brown.

Arkansas will hit the road to Alabama on March 6th and 8th, beginning Southeastern Conference action against Alabama and Auburn.

Singles1. #4 Aurelija Miseviciute (Ark) def. Ashley Murdock (UM), 6-0, 6-3.2. #92 Anouk Tigu (Ark) def. Marjorie Ondeck (UM), 6-0, 6-3.3. Ela Kaluder (Ark) def. Sarah Irvin (UM), 6-0, 6-14. Emily Carbone (Ark) def. Robyn Jones (UM), 6-0, 7-5.5. Nanar Airapetian (Ark) def. Amanda Brown (UM), 7-5, 6-3.6. Kate Lukomskaya (Ark) def. Dara Toulch (UM), 6-1, 6-0.Order of Finish: (3,6,2*,1,4,5)

Doubles1. #12 Nanar Airapetian/Anouk Tigu (Ark) def. Ashley Murdock/Sarah Irvin (UM), 8-2.2. Aurelija Miseviciute/Kate Lukomskaya (Ark) def. Dara Toulch/Kristin Chamberlain (UM), 8-2.3. Ela Kaluder/Emily Carbone (Ark) def. Robyn Jones/Marjorie Ondeck (UM), 9-8(4)Order of Finish: (2,1*,3)