Razorbacks win SEC opener against Gamecocks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 16th-ranked Razorback women’s tennis team got its SEC season off to a strong start on Friday afternoon as it took down the 27th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, 4-3, at the Billingsley Tennis Center. The Hogs were able to sweep all three doubles matches and then go on to win three out of the first four singles matches to remain undefeated at home and win their third straight dual match.

Even after winning the doubles point, the Hogs still had plenty of work left to do earn the victory as South Carolina took half of the singles matches to three sets, but Arkansas was able to take at least on of those three setters which was just enough for the victory.

“It’s great to get off to a positive start in SEC play,” said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty. “I thought it was a very balanced team effort and just a lot of good spirit all the way through the team. It was also great for Jade (Frampton) to clinch an SEC match in her first official SEC competition.”

In doubles to start the day, the Hogs seemed right at home in all three doubles matches, winning on each court by a score of 8-4. What caught the eye was the speed that the Hogs were able to win at each court. All three doubles matches were completed in under an hour, which showed the efficiency the Hogs were playing with.

The team of freshman Jade Frampton and junior Emily Carbone were the first to win their match and then were followed by juniors Stephanie Roy and Kate Lukomskaya. They defeated Maddy Saari-Bystrom and Josey Andersson, for their sixth win of the season. The 34th-ranked doubles team of Claudine Paulson and senior Anouk Tigu finished things off for the Razorbacks as they won their 17th match overall this season and 10th this dual season after dispatching of the 64th-ranked team of Dijana Stojic and Domi Kanakova. After doubles, the Razorbacks had huge momentum going into singles play.

Even though it seemed like everything was well in hand for the Hogs during the first set of singles, the tides slowly began turning as matches went to their second sets. Arkansas had won four of six first sets, but then were only able to win on two courts for straight set victories. Roy was the first to go final, defeating Saari-Bystrom, 6-2, 6-3, winning her fourth out of the last five matches. Following her was Paulson, who dropped Katy Popova, 6-2, 7-6(3), for her ninth dual victory this season.

Then, South Carolina began responding with a win at court one to pull within two in the overall team score. However, Frampton was not about to let her undefeated streak come to an end in her first SEC match as she gutted out a tough three setter with Andersson, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, to earn not only her ninth straight win, but also give the Razorbacks their first SEC win of the season.

The opening weekend doesn’t stop there as the Hogs are now set to face No. 1 Florida on Sunday at the Billingsley Tennis Center in Fayetteville. The match is scheduled to start at noon and live stats will be available throughout the match as well as the live blog. For complete coverage of the women’s tennis team throughout conference play, be sure to log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com. No. 27 South Carolina 3No. 16 Arkansas 4Complete Doubles Results:Order of Finish: 3, 2*, 1No. 1 #34 Anouk Tigu/Claudine Paulson (ARK) def. #64 Dijana Stojic/Domi Kanakova (USC) 8-4No. 2 Stephanie Roy/Kate Lukomskaya (ARK) def. Maddy Saari-Bystrom/Josey Andersson (USC) 8-4No. 3 Jade Frampton/Emily Carbone (ARK) def. Anya Morgina/Katy Popova (USC) 8-4Complete Singles ResultsOrder of Finish: 3, 4, 1, 6*, 2, 5No. 1 #65 Anya Morgina (USC) def. #23 Anouk Tigu (ARK) 6-3, 7-5No. 2 Dijana Stojic (USC) def. Kate Lukomskaya (ARK) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4No. 3 Stephanie Roy (ARK) def. Maddy Saari-Bystrom (USC) 6-2, 6-3No. 4 Claudine Pauslon (ARK) def. Katy Popova (USC) 6-2, 7-6(3) No. 5 Domi Kanakova (USC) def. Emily Carbone (ARK) 6-4, 6-7(3), 1-0(8)No. 6 Jade Frampton (ARK) def. Josey Andersson (USC) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2