April 22, 2005

Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Rain haulted the South Carolina-Arkansas women’s tennis match twice on Thursday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., but it didn’t stop the Gamecocks from advancing with a 4-1 victory over the Razorbacks. The match was originally scheduled for 3 pm but was moved to 5:30 p.m. due to rain. The Gamecocks (14-7,6-5) and Razorbacks (11-11, 1-10) started doubles play outside at 5:30 p.m. but play was stopped because of rain. The two teams did not start again until after 11:00 p.m. eastern due to the conclusion of the Mississippi vs. Alabama match.

When play resumed, USC jumped out to an 1-0 lead by taking the first two doubles matches. Christyn Lucas and Magda Wojdylo defeated Vlatka Jovanovich and Melissa Cornett, 8-4, at No. 2. Laura Ganzer and Fallon Koon clinched the doubles point for the Gamecocks with an 8-6 victory at three over Illiana Pacheco and Audrey Bordeleau.

In singles, Megan McGavock continued her strong play with a 6-1,6-0 victory at six to extend the Carolina lead to 2-0. Vlatka Jovanovich picked up Arkansas’s only victory with a 6-0,6-1 triumph at one over USC’s Danielle Wiggins. Christyn Lucas put USC up 3-1 with a 6-0,6-1 victory over Karina Ledaja at two. Magda Wojdylo clinched the Gamecock victory with a 6-2,6-1 win at five over Illiana Pacheco. Since Carolina had clinched the match, all other singles contest were suspended. All unfinished and completed scores are listed below.

The win for USC advances the Gamecocks to play the No. 3 seed Florida Gators at 3 p.m.on Friday and it marked the eighth time in nine seasons that the Gamecocks have won their opening round match of the SEC Tournament. The 8th ranked Gators took the regular season match-up between the two schools 4-0 in Gainesville.

Doubles:
1. Gutierrez/Wiggins (SC) vs. Franco/Ledaja (A) 8-8
2. Lucas/Wojdylo (SC) d. Jovanovich/Cornett (A) 8-4
3. Ganzer/Koon (SC) d. Pacheco/Bordeleau (A) 8-6
Order of Finish: 2,3

Singles:
1. Vlatka Jovanovich (A) d. Danielle Wiggins (SC) 6-0,6-1
2. Christyn Lucas (SC) d. Karina Ledaja (A) 6-0,6-1
3. Laura Ganzer (SC) vs. Maryori Franco (A) 0-6,3-5
4. Miranda Gutierrez (SC) vs. Melissa Cornett (A) 7-5,1-1
5. Magda Wojdylo (SC) d. Illiana Pacheco (A) 6-2,6-1
6. Megan McGavock (SC) d. Audrey Bordeleau (A) 6-1,6-0
Order of Finish: 6,1,2,5

Notes:
Doubles haulted with Arkansas leading at No. 1 doubles 5-4. USC led No. 2 doubles 5-2 while the No. 3 doubles contest was tied at four.

First Round Scores:
Mississippi d. Alabama 4-2
Georgia d. Auburn 4-0
South Carolina d. Arkansas 4-1
Mississippi State d. LSU 4-3