South Carolina Advances in Singles and Doubles at ITA Carolina Regionals
WINSTON-SALEM, S.C. – South Carolina wrapped up the second day of the ITA Carolina Regionals on Friday in which No. 29 Ayana Akli advanced in the singles main draw. Akli also advanced in the doubles main draw alongside Allie Gretkowski and multiple Gamecocks advanced in the consolation draws.
In doubles, Gretkowski and Akli faced Davidson’s Kavya Patel and Josie Schaffer in an eight-game pro set. The No. 5 seeded Gamecock pair made quick work of the match, downing Patel and Schaffer 8-2 to advance to the main A1 doubles draw quarterfinals.
In singles, Akli continued to perform in her matches and topped Anna Daniels of UNC Wilmington in commanding straight sets 6-1, 6-0. Akli carried her momentum into her second match of the day in which she faced Elon’s Sibel Tanik. The South Carolina newcomer took the first set 6-4 then blanked Tanik 6-0 in the second set to advance to the quarterfinals of the main A2 singles draw.
Four Gamecocks moved into consolation singles draws after dropping their first matches. In the main A1 singles consolation draw, freshman Misa Malkin took on No. 73 Sara Nayar of NC State. Malkin came away with a straight sets upset 6-2, 6-4 for her first ranked win of the season. Gretkowski also advanced in the consolation round, defeating Gardner-Webb’s Teodora Ristic 6-1, 6-2.
Ana Cruz and Gracie Mulville notched similar wins in the main A2 singles consolation draw. Cruz efficiently defeated Furman’s Sara Snyder in a 6-3, 6-1 decision. Mulville’s match against Ellie Schoppe of Furman went to three sets but the Gamecock freshman prevailed 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. All four South Carolina members in the consolation rounds advanced to their respective draws’ quarterfinals.
In the B draw, fourth-seeded freshman Chloe Narboni advanced to the round of 16. Narboni dominated her match against UNCG’s Mccollough Perry, downing her 6-0, 6-1. In the round of 32, Narboni kept her momentum with her to top Western Carolina’s Breda Brennan 6-1, 7-5.
Also in the B draw, Kendall Couch faced Davidson’s Victoria Anyanwu. The Gamecock junior fell 7-6 (2) in the first set, but settled in to take the second set 6-1. Couch ultimately came out on top with a third set win to advance to the round of 32. There, she faced Maddie Brown of North Carolina and the Tar Heel came out on top, halting Couch’s advance.
South Carolina will see more singles and doubles action on Saturday as the ITA Carolina Regionals continue.
Day 2 Results
Singles
Carson Tanguilig (NC) def. Misa Malkin (SC) 6-4, 6-2
Samantha Buyckx (CU) def. Allie Gretkowski (SC) 6-2, 7-5
Misa Malkin (SC) def. No. 73 Sara Nayar (NCSU) 6-2, 6-4
Allie Gretkowski (SC) def. Teodora Ristic (GW) 6-1, 6-2
No. 52 Anna Campana (WF) def. Gracie Mulville (SC) 6-2, 6-3
Daniella Medvedeva (CU) def. Ana Cruz (SC) 6-2, 6-3
No. 29 Ayana Akli (SC) def. Anna Daniels (UNCW) 6-1, 6-0
No. 29 Ayana Akli (SC) def. Sibel Tanik (ELON) 6-4, 6-0
Gracie Mulville (SC) def. Ellie Schoppe (FU) 6-1, 4-6, 7-5
Ana Cruz (SC) def. Sara Snyder (FU) 6-3, 6-1
Chloe Narboni (SC) def. Mccollough Perry (UNCG) 6-0, 6-1
Chloe Narboni (SC) def. Breda Brennan (WCU) 6-1, 7-5
Kendall Couch (SC) def. Victoria Anyanwu (DC) 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-3
Maddie Brown (NC) def. Kendall Couch (SC) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles
Cameron Morra/ Carson Tanguilig (NC) def. Kendall Couch/Chloe Narboni (SC) 8-1
Allie Gretkowski/Ayana Akli (SC) def. Kavya Patel/Josie Schaffer (DC) 8-2
Sam Martinelli/Casie Wooten (WF) def. Misa Malkin/Elise Mills (SC) 8-2
No. 15 Reilly Tran/Alle Sanford (NC) def. Ana Cruz/Gracie Mulville (SC) 8-0
