Feb. 29, 2004
Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina’s women’s tennis team moved to 5-2 overall and to 2-0 in the SEC with a 6-1 win on Sunday at the Maxcy Gregg Tennis Facility. The win by USC dropped the 62nd ranked LSU Tigers to 7-3 overall and to 0-2 in SEC play.
The Gamecocks jumped a head early by taking the doubles point on the Tigers. USC’s number three doubles team of Ayako Suzuki and Miranda Gutierrez defeated Camila Caliari and Daysi Espinal 8-1 to take the first of two doubles matches. Danielle Wiggins and Magda Wojdylo would then clinch the point for the Gamecocks with a 8-6 win over Jessica Ferguson and Marina Chiarelli. The win for Wiggins and Wojdylo improved the duo to 6-1 in dual matches. The Tigers would pick up their only win at number one doubles with Rocio Fantilli and Lauren Seaman taking a 8-5 decision over Christyn Lucas and Laura Ganzer.
In singles, the Gamecocks took five of six singles matches to take the match by a final score of 6-1. Laura Ganzer (10-7) put Carolina up 2-0 after winning 6-3,6-3 at number three singles against Marina Chiarelli. 85th ranked Danielle Wiggins (11-6) then put the Gamecocks ahead 3-0 by upsetting 77th ranked Jessica Ferguson in straight sets 6-2,6-3. USC would clinch the match when freshman Miranda Gutierrez (12-6) took her battle at number four singles against Camila Caliari 7-5,6-4. Christyn Lucas (11-7) would add to the Gamecocks lead as she took a three set match over Rocio Fantilli at number two singles. Fantilli took the first set 6-4 but Lucas came back strong by winning the final two sets 6-1,6-1. LSU would finally get on the board when Lauren Seaman took a long hard match with USC’s Fallon Koon (12-5) at number five singles. Seaman defeated Koon 7-5,7-6(7). Justine Walsh (12-3) lost her first set 6-3 but took the final two sets 6-1,6-2 against Daysi Espinal to make the final 6-1.
“They are a good team and they gave us a very good battle today at each spot,” said USC Head Coach Arlo Elkins. “We’re 2-0 now in the SEC and today we had excellent play by our three freshmen in the lineup.. We are playing with a really young lineup but all of our girls are giving everything they have and it is paying off for us on the court. Each one of them is improving every time they step on the court and you can tell by winning these tough SEC matches.”
The Gamecocks will wrap up their four match homestand tomorrow at Maxcy Gregg Tennis Facility as they host the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
South Carolina 6
LSU 1
Doubles
No. 1. Rocio Fantilli/Lauren Seaman (LSU) d. Christyn Lucas/Laura Ganzer (SC) 8-5
No. 2.Danielle Wiggins/Magda Wojdylo (SC) d. Jessica Ferguson/Marina Chiarelli (LSU)8-6
No. 3. Miranda Gutierrez/Ayako Suzuki (SC) d. Camila Caliari/Daysi Espinal (LSU) 8-1
Order of Finish: 3,2,1
Singles: No. 1 #85 Danielle Wiggins (SC) d. #77 Jessica Ferguson (LSU) 6-2,6-3
No. 2 Christyn Lucas (SC) d. Rocio Fantilli (LSU) 4-6,6-1,6-1
No. 3 Laura Ganzer (SC) d. Marina Chiarelli (LSU) 6-3,6-3
No. 4 Miranda Gutierrez (SC) d. Camila Caliari (LSU) 7-5,6-4
No. 5 Lauren Seaman (LSU) d. Fallon Koon (SC) 7-5,7-6(7)
No. 6 Justine Walsh (SC) d. Daysi Espinal (LSU) 3-6,6-1,6-2
Order of Finish: 3,1,4,2,5,6
