Razorbacks swept by Bulldogs, 7-0

ATHENS, Ga. – It wasn’t the greatest end to the weekend for the 12th-ranked Razorback women’s tennis team as they lost their second straight match and third in conference play with a 7-0 loss to the No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs on Sunday in Athens, Ga.

The Razorbacks (13-6, 3-3 SEC) did not have much luck in doubles, dropping matches at the top two spots, which gave Georgia (12-1, 6-0 SEC) the important doubles point. They were, however, able to get a victory at the No. 3 doubles position in an exciting tiebreaker fashion to earn at least one win. Unfortunately, Georgia took control in singles and did not allow Arkansas a win on any court, en route to the shutout.

“Give full credit to Georgia,” said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty. “I thought we played and competed well in most spots today. A match like that just shows us some little things that we must correct as we prepare for the stretch run.”

Going back to the doubles matches, Georgia got off to a quick start winning at courts one and two, but the Hog team of freshman Jade Frampton and sophomore Valentina Starkova were able to get a little momentum for their team heading into singles as they defeated Cameron Ellis and Alexandra Anghelescu, 7-6(3). That win for the Razorback tandem was their 14th of the season and third straight in conference play.

As the match moved into singles, things did not get much brighter for Arkansas as the Bulldogs got quick wins in straight sets at courts two and four to fall into a 3-0 hole. The match clincher came a the No. 3 spot as junior Stephanie Roy, who won her first set with Anghelescu, 6-3, then dropped the final two sets, 6-1, 1-0 ret., giving Georgia the easy victory. From there, Georgia would go on to win the remaining three matches at courts one, five, and six to push the point total to 7-0.

The Razorbacks will remain on the road for their next two matches next weekend as they will sweep through the state of Alabama to face the Crimson Tide on Friday at 2 p.m. in Tuscaloosa and then Auburn on Sunday at 1 p.m. For complete coverage of the Razorback women’s tennis team throughout the year, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com. No. 12 Arkansas 0No. 7 Georgia 7Complete Doubles ResultsOrder of Finish: 1, 2*, 3No. 1 #9 Chelsey Gullickson/Kate Fuller (UGA) def. #26 Anouk Tigu/Claudine Paulson (ARK) 8-2No. 2 #38 Lilly Kimbell/Nadja Gilchrist (UGA) def. Kate Lukomskaya/Stephanie Roy (ARK) 8-4No. 3 Valentina Starkova/Jade Frampton (ARK) def. Cameron Ellis/Alexandra Anghelescu (UGA) 7-6(3)Complete Singles ResultsOrder of Finish: 2, 4, 3*, 1, 6, 5No. 1 #37 Chelsey Gullickson (UGA) def. #22 Anouk Tigu (ARK) 7-5, 6-2No. 2 #84 Maho Kowase (UGA) def. Kate Lukomskaya (ARK) 6-3, 6-0No. 3 Alexandra Anghelescu (UGA) def. Stephanie Roy (ARK) 3-6, 6-1, 1-0 ret. No. 4 #120 Lilly Kimbell (UGA) def. Claudine Paulson (ARK) 6-4, 7-6 (1)No. 5 Kate Fuller (UGA) def. Emily Carbone (ARK) 3-6, 7-5, 1-0(6)No. 6 #76 Cameron Ellis (UGA) def. Jade Frampton (ARK) 6-3, 6-0