No. 39 Arkansas falls one point short of freezing No. 2 UCLA in Madison
MADISON, Wisc. – Stellar play in doubles was not enough for the 35th-ranked University of Arkansas Lady Razorbacks as they came up short, 4-3, against No. 2 UCLA in consolation of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships on Friday.
This was the second day in a row that Arkansas was within striking distance of knocking off an ITA top 10 ranked opponent, but once again was knocked off by one point.
“We had a big effort by everyone on the team for the second day in a row,” said Lady’Back head coach Michael Hegarty. “We just fell short.”
Arkansas will seek for their first win at the Team Indoor Championships against No. 12 Fresno State in consolation play on Saturday, at 9 a.m.
The Lady’Backs, 4-2, grew momentum early after charging to into doubles to earn the 1-0 lead.
On Court 2, No. 12 ranked Aurelija Miseviciute and Ela Kaluder disassembled Alex McGoodwin and Ashley Joelson in fine fashion, 8-2, to begin the day. Senior Audrey Bordeleau and freshman Anouk Tigu improved to 4-0 in doubles action with an 8-4 clincher over Andrea Remynse and Trace Lin, while No. 45 Maryori Franco and Nanar Airapetian dropped their march against No. 16 Riza Zalameda and Yasmin Schnack, 8-6.
Forty-first ranked Lin topped Kaluder, 6-3, 6-2, beginning singles action and tying the match at one. UCLA, 4-1, would then take a 2-1 lead as Joelson dropped Delia Demaschin, 6-4, 7-5.
After Elizabeth Lumpkin battled through Airapetian, 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-1, UCLA was within one point from clinching the match. The clinching point came when No. 27 Andrea Remynse handed the freshman Tigu her first ever collegiate loss, 6-4, 6-1, on Court 3.
“The momentum was ours early, and as the match went on it began to shift back and forth with such close matches,” Hegarty said.
Arkansas picked up two more victories moments after the match became final. On Court 5, Bordeleau earned a victory after McGoodwin was forced to retire due to injury. The No. 1 ranked women’s player the nation, Miseviciute, earned a hard fought win over No. 25 Riza Zalameda, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, providing the 4-3 final.
“Although we loss today, it was definitely encouraging to see how close our program has been these past two days to championship caliber teams like USC and UCLA,” Hegarty said.
“I feel much better about our competitive level after these last two days than I did when we arrived at this tournament.”
Results against Fresno State can be found immediately following the match atLADYBACKS.COM.
#2 UCLA-4
#39 Arkansas-3
Doubles
1. #16 Riza Zalameda/Yasmin Schnack (UCLA) def. #45 Maryori Franco/Nanar Airapetian (UA), 8-6.
2. #12 Aurelija Miseviciute/Ela Kaluder (UA) def. Alex McGoodwin/Ashley Joelson (UCLA), 8-2.
3. Audrey Bordeleau/Anouk Tigu (UA) def. Andrea Remynse/Tracy Lin (UCLA), 8-4.
Match Notes: Order of Finish (2,3*,1)
Singles
1. #1 Aurelija Miseviciute (UA) def. #25 Riza Zalameda (UCLA) 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.
2. #41 Tracy Lin (UCLA) def. Ela Kaluder (UA) 6-3, 6-2.
3. #27 Andrea Remynse (UCLA) def. Anouk Tigu (UA) 6-4, 6-1.
4. Ashley Joelson (UCLA) def. Delia Damaschin (UA) 6-4, 7-5.
5. Audrey Bordeleau (UA) def. Alex McGoodwin (UCLA) 4-3,ret.
6. Elizabeth Lumpkin (UCLA) def. Nanar Airapetian (UA) 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-1.
Match Notes: Order of Finish (2,4,6,3*,5,1)
