Feb. 23, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The No. 25-ranked South Carolina women’s tennis team will host No. 66 Winthrop on Thursday at Maxcy Gregg Tennis Center at 2 p.m.

The Gamecocks last played Feb. 12 and 13 when they traveled to Purdue and Illinois, snagging a pair of wins over the Big Ten schools. South Carolina dominated Purdue 6-1 and fought back after losing the doubles point to win five of six singles contests at Illinois. South Carolina claimed three three-set matches at the top three singles positions for the come-from-behind win and also won on courts four and five to earn a 5-2 triumph. With a 5-1 record this season, the Gamecocks bring a three-match winning streak in to Thursday’s match-up with Winthrop.

Winthrop has been busy this season with 13 matches already under its belt. The Eagles played two matches in Greenville, S.C., on Feb. 18 and 19, defeating Furman on the first day 6-1 and then Tulane 4-3 the second. Winthrop has also scored wins this season over Hampton, Wofford, William & Mary, Old Dominion and Davidson. The Eagles stand 7-6 in 2011 and have played a number of tough opponents. South Carolina marks the sixth opponent currently ranked in the top 25 that Winthrop has faced this season, as the Eagles have also faced Florida (2), North Carolina (3), Virginia (9), Clemson (12) and VCU (23).

Despite the close proximity of the two schools, South Carolina and Winthrop are meeting for just the eighth time. South Carolina holds a 7-0 advantage in the series and has not surrendered more than two points in any match. The previous six contests have all been played in Columbia, S.C., and last season, South Carolina won a 7-0 decision.

Freshman Dominika Kanakova comes in with South Carolina’s best dual match record this season at 5-1 after playing the Nos. 4 and 5 positions. Kanakova has been a fixture at five singles for the Gamecocks’ last four matches and is 3-1 at the spot. Overall, she is 12-4 for the year in singles to tie for the team lead in wins. Kanakova has been a force for South Carolina in doubles as well with junior Dijana Stojic. The duo currently holds a No. 38 national ranking and is 4-1 playing the top slot in doubles.

Junior Anya Morgina picked up two much needed victories at No. 1 singles against Purdue and Illinois. Morgina entered the matches winless on the season at the top, but won in straight sets against Purdue and then upended Rachael White of Illinois for her first victory over a ranked opponent this season. White was ranked 100th in the nation at the time. Morgina is currently rated 56th nationally in singles and 49th in doubles with Kanakova. She and Kanakova have not played doubles this spring but did post a 5-0 record in the fall.

Stojic and sophomore Madeleine Saari-Byström are both 4-2 this season in dual matches for singles play, with Stojic playing all matches on court two and Saari-Byström on court three. Saari-Byström is tied for the team lead in singles wins overall with 12. She had a 10-match win streak this season after winning eight in a row during the fall and then her first two of the spring. Stojic is 10-5 overall and provided the clinching point for South Carolina in its comeback win over Illinois. She is also 10-3 in doubles.

Freshman Katarina Popova and sophomore Josefin Andersson have both played in four matches this spring and are 3-1. Popova has played all of her matches on court four and owns a 10-3 record overall. Andersson has split time at Nos. 5 and 6 singles, with her last two appearances coming at No. 6. Popova has teamed up with Morgina in doubles this spring for a 4-2 record, while Andersson is 3-1 with Saari-Byström.

After Winthrop, South Carolina will take on No. 12 Clemson on Sunday at noon in Clemson, S.C.