Three Gamecocks Earn Singles Wins at College Ranked Spotlight
North Carolina – South Carolina women’s tennis completed Friday play at the College Ranked Spotlight in Cary, N.C., and the Charlotte Invite in Charlotte, N.C.
At the Ranked Spotlight, No. 42 Ayana Akli earned her first round with win a strong comeback. The senior was blanked 0-6 in her first set but fought back to take the second 6-2. The final set was a battle that had to be decided in a tiebreaker with Akli ultimately coming out on top 7-6(3).
Akli then had to face the nation’s top player Eryn Cayetano of Southern California. Akli again gave up the first set but battled back to take the second. She was unable to compete the upset, dropping the final set 6-1.
No. 2 Sarah Hamner dropped her first-round match but got back on the right track in the consolation round of 16, defeating Julia Adams of Virginia in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.
In the A-2 draw, Ana Cruz was promoted from the alternate list but was unable to capitalize, dropping both her first and second round matches. Senior Elise Mills also dropped her first round match but got back on track to take down Leena Bennetto of Princeton in straight sets in the consolation round of 16.
At the Charlotte Invite, the Gamecocks were unable to get going, dropping three singles matches and two doubles matches on the day.
Play will continue at both the College Ranked Spotlight and the Charlotte Invite tomorrow with competition getting started at both tournaments at 9 a.m. The Spotlight will consist of two more rounds of singles while the Charlotte Invite will have two more rounds of doubles and one round of singles.
For all the latest South Carolina women’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockWTennis).
College Ranked Spotlight
A-1 Draw Round of 32
(42) Ayana Akli (SC) def. (58) Mary Stoiana (TAMU) 0-6, 6-2, 7-6(3)
(116) Malkia Ngounoue (KAN) def. (2) Sarah Hamner (SC) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
A-2 Draw Round of 32
Gianna Pielet (TAMU) def. Elise Mills (SC) 6-1, 6-4
Kolie Allen (OSU) def. Ana Cruz (SC) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
A-1 Draw Round of 16
Main Draw
(1) Eryn Cayetano (So. Cal.) def. (42) Ayana Akli (SC) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
Consolation Draw
(2) Sarah Hamner (SC) def. (35) Julia Adams (UVA) 7-5, 6-3
A-2 Round of 16
Consolation Draw
Elise Mills (SC) def. Leena Bennetto (PRIN) 6-2, 6-4
Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) def. Ana Cruz (SC) 6-3, 7-5
Charlotte Invite
Doubles
Anya Lamoreaux/Pia Kranholdt (Iowa) def. Chloe Narboni/Annie Jennings (South Carolina) 6-3
Ralitsa Alexandrova/Yunuen Elizarraras (ETSU) def. Chloe Narboni/Annie Jennings (South Carolina) 7-6 (7-3)
Singles
Ralitsa Alexandrova (ETSU) def. Misa Malkin (South Carolina) 5-7, 6-2, 6-2
Anya Lamoreaux (Iowa) def. Chloe Narboni (South Carolina) 6-3, 6-4
Mariya Shumeika (ETSU) def. Annie Jennings (South Carolina) 6-0, 4-6, 6-4
