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Mississippi State Women’s Tennis Faces Tough Loss in SEC Tournament Opener

Introduction: A Brave Battle in Auburn

The excitement of the SEC Tournament is palpable, but unfortunately for the Mississippi State women’s tennis team, the opening round served up a bitter pill to swallow. Competing against the ninth-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks in Auburn, Alabama, the Bulldogs fell short with a score of 4-2. While the thrill of victory was elusive, moments of brilliance shone through, showcasing the grit and determination of the MSU team.

The Match Breakdown

Doubles Doubt

The match kicked off with doubles play, where MSU’s Emma Cohen and Alessia Tagliente displayed promise by securing an early win. However, the Gamecocks responded fiercely, clinching the doubles point by winning the subsequent two matches. The momentum shifted, setting a challenging tone for the singles play to follow.

A Fightback in the Singles Showdown

As singles competition commenced, South Carolina quickly took control, racing to a 3-0 lead after winning on courts two and five. However, the resilient Bulldogs were not ready to throw in the towel. Gianna Oboniye delivered a stunning blow to the Gamecocks, claiming victory over No. 13 Sarah Hamner with a score of 7-5, 6-3. Following her lead, Cohen clinched her first dual match singles victory by overcoming Lauren Friedman with a score of 6-4, 6-3, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Despite the rally, South Carolina sealed the match with a win on court four, forcing the Bulldogs into a tough exit from the tournament. Notably, Jayna Clemens won her opening set before the match concluded.

Match Summary

Records

• Mississippi State: (10-16, 0-15 SEC)
• No. 23 South Carolina: (14-10, 8-7 SEC)

Key Match Notes

• Gianna Oboniye’s victory over Hamner marked her second ranked singles win of the spring season, a tremendous achievement.
• Emma Cohen also enjoyed a milestone moment, registering her first career dual match singles win.
• The duo of Alessia Tagliente and Carolina Troiano celebrated their second victory of the season against South Carolina’s formidable pair of Bella Bergqvist Larsson and Olympe Lancelot.

Results Recap

Doubles

1. No. 16 Kaitlyn Carnicella/Sarah Hamner (USC) def. No. 50 Gianna Oboniye/Athina Pitta (MSU) 6-4
2. Alessia Tagliente/Carolina Troiano (MSU) def. Bella Bergqvist Larsson/Olympe Lancelot (USC) 6-4
3. Lauren Friedman/Misa Malkin (USC) def. Jayna Clemens/Chiara Di Genova (MSU) 7-6(2)
   Order of Finish: 2, 1, 3

Singles

1. Gianna Oboniye (MSU) def. No. 13 Sarah Hamner (USC) 7-5, 6-3
2. No. 55 Kaitlyn Carnicella (USC) def. Carolina Troiano (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Jayna Clemens (MSU) vs. Misa Malkin (USC) 6-4, 0-6, unfinished
4. Olympe Lancelot (USC) def. Alessia Tagliente (MSU) 6-3, 7-5*
5. Bella Bergqvist Larsson (USC) def. Chiara Di Genova (MSU) 6-1, 6-0
6. Emma Cohen (MSU) def. Lauren Friedman (USC) 6-4, 6-3
   Order of Finish: 2, 5, 1, 6, 4
   Clincher: 4

Looking Ahead

Although this match brought an abrupt end to the Bulldogs’ journey in the SEC Tournament, there were standout performances that hint at a bright future. For more insights and updates on the Mississippi State women’s tennis program, make sure to visit Hailstate.com or follow them on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

– HailState.com –

In every defeat, there lies a lesson for growth and determination. The Bulldogs will go back to the drawing board, ready to return stronger than ever for next season!