Three in a row for women's tennis
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Not even cool temperatures at the George M. Billingsley Tennis Center on Sunday could freeze the 29th-ranked University of Arkansas Razorbacks women’s tennis team over No. 27 Vanderbilt, 4-3.
The win extended the Razorbacks (8-3, 3-1) winning-streak to three matches, all in Southeastern Conference action. Arkansas will head to Miami, Florida for some non-conference play against sixth-ranked University of Miami on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
“As a coach it’s great to get such a great effort on a Sunday match during an SEC weekend,” said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty. “Conditions outside were difficult for us, so it’s especially pleasing to work through it and show toughness.
Sophomore Anouk Tigu provided clinchers in both singles and doubles to vault the Razorbacks to victory.
“We were battling really hard with the weather,” said Tigu. “We hadn’t practiced outside all week, so to come out and get a win against a tough team like Vanderbilt is rewarding.
Tigu, ranked 97th in singles, staved off No. 90 Keilly Ulery, 6-4, 6-4, for the match clincher.
Coming out of doubles, Vanderbilt’s Chelsea Preeg dropped Emily Carbone, 6-2, 6-1, to knot things at 1-1. The Hogs then reeled off two wins for a cushion to set up the clincher. Tenth-ranked Aurelija Miseviciute shot past No. 50 Catherine Newman, 6-1, 6-1, while senior Nanar Airapetian claimed her 15th win of the season over Courtney Ulery, 6-2, 6-0.
The Commodores (4-3, 1-2) gave themselves a little hope when Heather Steinbauer dropped Kate Lukomskaya, 6-2, 7-5, putting the match at 3-2. However, Tigu ended Vanderbilt’s last cry with the dagger on Court 2.
The Hogs claimed the doubles point, pushing their record to 6-1 when claiming the first point of the match. The seniority duo of Miseviciute and Ela Kaluder dropped Newman and Preeg, 8-5. The clincher was captured by 18th-ranked Airapetian and Tigu, 8-4, over Jackie Wu and Steinbauer.
Freshmen Carbone and Lukomskaya cleaned off the sweep over Courtney and Keilly Ulery, 8-6.
For more information on Razorback women’s tennis visit ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM.
Singles1. #10 Aurelija Miseviciute (Ark) def. #50 Catherine Newman (VU), 6-1, 6-1.2. #97 Anouk Tigu (Ark) def. #90 Keilly Ulery (VU), 6-4, 6-4.3. #52 Jackie Wu (Ark) def. Ela Kaluder (Ark), 7-5, 6-1.4. Chelsea Preeg (VU) def. Emily Carbone (Ark), 6-2, 6-1.5. Nanar Airapetian (Ark) def. Courtney Ulery (VU), 6-2, 6-0.6. Heather Steinbauer (VU) def. Kate Lukomskaya (Ark), 6-2, 7-5.Order of Finish: (4,5,1,6,2*,3)
Doubles1. #18 Nanar Airapetian/Anouk Tigu (Ark) def. Jackie Wu/Heather Steinbaur (VU), 8-4.2. Aurelija Miseviciute/Ela Kaluder (Ark) def. Catherine Newman/Chelsea Preeg (VU), 8-5.3. Emily Carbone/Kate Lukomskaya (Ark) def. Courtney Ulery/Keilly Ulery (VU), 8-6.
Order of Finish: (2,1*,3)
