Feb. 14, 2004
Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina women’s tennis team fell just short on Saturday at the USC Indoor Tennis Facility to the 13th ranked Clemson Tigers, 4-3. The win improved the Tigers to 3-0 while the Gamecocks dropped to 3-2 on the 2004 campaign.
The Tigers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead by taking two of the three doubles matches. The Gamecocks would win their only doubles match at the number two position where Danielle Wiggins and Magda Wojdylo defeated Daniela Alvarez and Silvia Gutierrez 8-4. The 12th ranked tandem of Julie Coin and Maria Brito defeated South Carolina’s Christyn Lucas and Laura Ganzer at number one doubles 8-4. Clemson would clinch the match when the 49th ranked duo of Richele Lesaldo and Karen Rombouts defeated Miranda Gutierrez and Ayako Suzuki 8-5.
In singles, the Tigers increased their lead to 3-0 after wins at number one and four singles. The Gamecocks would not give up. Laura Ganzer would start the rally for the Gamecocks as she upset 78th ranked Maria Brito 7-6,6-3 at number three singles. Junior Fallon Koon would step up and defeat Ioana Paun 7-5,6-4 to make the lead 3-2 but Clemson would eventually clinch the contest when 40th ranked Daniela Alvarez defeated Christyn Lucas in a three set thriller 7-6(7),6-7(4),6-3. Justine Walsh would go on and win at number six singles and make the final score 4-3.
“We played really well today and I am very pleased with our team because we hung in with the 13th ranked team in the nation,” said Head Coach Arlo Elkins. “For us to have five freshmen and sophomores in the lineup really says something about our team. If we keep improving like we have, we will be someone to reckon with later in the season.”
The Gamecocks will take two weeks off before returning to action on February 27th when they host the LSU Tigers to start SEC competition.
No. 13 Clemson 4
South Carolina 3
Doubles
1. No. 12 Julie Coin/Maria Brito (Clemson) d. Christyn Lucas/Laura Ganzer (SC) 8-4
2. Danielle Wiggins/Magda Wojdylo (SC) d. Daniela Alvarez/Silvia Gutierrez (Clemson) 8-4
3. No. 49 Richele Lesaldo/Karen Rombouts (Clemson) d. Miranda Gutierrez/Ayako Suzuki (SC) 8-5
Order of Finish: 2,1,3
Singles
1. No. 9 Julie Coin (Clemson) d. Danielle Wiggins (SC) 6-0,6-3
2. No. 40 Daniela Alvarez (Clemson) d. Christyn Lucas (SC) 7-6(7),6-7(4),6-3
3. Laura Ganzer (SC) d. No. 78 Maria Brito (Clemson) 7-6,6-3
4. Karen Rombouts (Clemson) d. Miranda Gutierrez (SC) 6-2,6-3
5. Fallon Koon (SC) d. Ioana Paun (Clemson) 7-5,6-4
6. Justine Walsh (SC) d. Silvia Gutierrez (Clemson) 6-7,6-2,6-2
Order of Finish: 4,1,3,5,2,6
