Gamecocks Drop Tough Match to Denver, 4-3
LUBBOCK, Texas – The No. 25-ranked South Carolina (3-3) women’s tennis team fell to Denver (6-2), 4-3, after a hard-fought battle on Sunday afternoon in Lubbock, Texas at the McLeod Tennis Center.
Emma Shelton picked up her sixth-straight win to remain undefeated in dual-match singles after defeating Britt Pursell in three sets, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
“Denver is a well-coached team and they were too much for us (Sunday),” head coach Kevin Epley said. “In the end, they fought harder than us, so we have to give them credit. We Will have to learn from this match and continue to improve. We are not where we want to be to be competitive at a national level, so we have to use the losses to learn.”
In doubles, the Pioneers grabbed the doubles point with wins at one and three. On court two, No. 20-ranked Silvia Chinellato and Shelton earned a victory over Tatum Burger and Toni Nelson, 6-4, moving to 3-0 on the season.
No. 22 Megan Davies got things started for the Gamecocks in singles, topping Anna Riedmiller in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, at the No. 2 spot. Denver took the lead back with Hada Chang claiming a point against Kennedy Wicker on court four, 6-4, 6-3.
Evening the score again, Elise Mills put up a point for Carolina after a, 7-5, 6-3, victory opposite of Camille Verden-Anderson at the No. 6 position. Extending the Gamecocks’ lead, Shelton followed suit with her three-set win over Pursell on court three, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Taylor Melville tied it up again, getting a win on court one against No. 25 Mia Horvit, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. With the match coming down to the No. 5 spot, Gabriela Martinez and Burger were battling in their third set. The two went back-and-forth for a bit, but Martinez was not able to top her Pioneer opponent, falling, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4, and ending the match, 4-3, in favor of Denver.
South Carolina is back in action as they host Oklahoma State and Coastal Carolina for a doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
For more information on the Gamecocks, follow the team on social media (GamecockWTennis) and continue to check back with gamecocksonline.com. Subscribe to South Carolina on Stanza to get schedule updates directly in your calendars.
