May 15, 2004
Clemson, S.C. – The University of South Carolina women’s tennis team won their 12th straight opening round match of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday with a 4-1 win over the 30th ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Clemson. The 12 straight is one of the longest streaks in the nation. The win improved Carolina to 14-9 on the season while the Deacons dropped to 11-12 overall.
The Gamecocks jumped out to a 1-0 lead by taking two of the three double matches from the Demon Deacons. Karin Coetzee and Liz Proctor took the number three doubles match 8-3 over Miranda Gutierrez and Ayako Suzuki. Laura Ganzer and Danielle Wiggins rallied from a 3-2 deficit to defeat Katie Martzolf and Ashlee Davis 8-5 at number one doubles. Christyn Lucas and Magda Wojdylo clinched the doubles point for Carolina with an 8-5 victory.
In singles, Carolina would clinch the match with three victories at the bottom of the lineup. Justine Walsh extended USC’s lead to 2-0 with a 6-4,6-2 win over Danielle Schwartz at number six and then Fallon Koon defeated Aimee Smith 6-2,6-1 at five. The Deacons only point would come at number one singles where Karin Coetzee defeated Danielle Wiggins 6-4,6-0. The Gamecocks clinched the match when Miranda Gutierrez defeated Liz Proctor in straight sets 6-4,6-3. The match for Gutierrez was her first since injuring her foot on March 18th in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
“We are happy to keep our consecutive opening round streak alive today,” said USC Head Coach Arlo Elkins. “Wake Forest is a very good team and you have to give them a lot of credit. Today our players played very well and we look to keep it up tomorrow as we will play either Troy State or Clemson. Both of those teams are very good so we will need another solid performance tomorrow.”
The Gamecocks will play the winner of the Clemson-Troy State match tomorrow at 2:00pm.
Doubles:
1. Laura Ganzer/Danielle Wiggins (SC) d. Katie Martzolf/Ashlee Davis (WF) 8-3
2. Christyn Lucas/Magda Wojdylo (SC) d. Danielle Schwartz/Aimee Smith (WF) 8-5
3. Karin Coetzee/Liz Proctor (WF) d. Miranda Gutierrez/Ayako Suzuki (SC) 8-3
Order of Finish: 3,1,2
Singles: 1. Karin Coetzee (WF) d. Danielle Wiggins (SC) 6-4,6-0
2. Christyn Lucas (SC) vs. Ashlee Davis (WF) 4-6, 2-2 susp.
3. Laura Ganzer (SC) vs. Katie Martzolf (WF) 4-6, 2-2 susp.
4. Miranda Gutierrez (SC) d. Liz Proctor (WF) 6-4,6-3
5. Fallon Koon (SC) vs. Aimee Smith (WF) 6-2,6-1
6. Justine Walsh (SC) vs. Danielle Schwartz (WF) 6-4,6-2
Order of Finish: 6,5,1,4
