Three Gamecocks Claim Ranked Wins on Final Day of Tournament

Raleigh, N.C. – South Carolina women’s tennis wrapped up play at the NC State Ranked +1 on Sunday afternoon with one final round of singles and doubles.

The team did not have much success in doubles to start the day with both of the Gamecock pairs dropping their matches, but turned the day around with three ranked wins in singles.

The first Gamecock to record a singles win on the day way junior Sarah Hamner. Hamner, ranked No. 25, took down No. 31 Anika Yarlagadda of North Carolina in straight sets. After coming out on top of a tiebreaker in the first set, the Gamecock dominated the second set, winning it 6-2.

Hamner went 4-1 in singles during her first tournament of the season with ranked wins over Nos. 9, 31, 32, and 70.

Graduate Ayana Akli also recorded a ranked singles win on the day, hers coming over No. 70 Alana Wolfberg of Tennessee. Akli got the job done in two efficient sets, winning 6-4, 6-4.

The final ranked win of the day came from fellow graduate Elise Mills who upset No. 87 Alejandra Cruz of Georgia Tech 6-4, 6-2. The upset marks Mills’ first ranked singles win of the season.

The Gamecocks will be in action next at the ITA All-American Championships in Cary, N.C., beginning with prequalifying rounds on September 30.

For all the latest South Carolina women’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockWTennis).

Doubles – Third Round

(43) Amelia Rajecki/Maddy Zampardo (NCSU) def. (10) Ayana Akli/Sarah Hamner (SC) 6-3

Julia Garcia Ruiz/Florencia Urrutia (Okla) def. Shahar Biran/Elise Mills (SC) 6-0

A-1 Draw – Fifth Round

(25) Sarah Hamner (SC) def. (31) Anika Yarlagadda (UNC) 7-6(3), 6-2

(7) Ayana Akli (SC) def. (70) Alana Wolfberg (Tenn) 6-4, 6-4

A-2 Draw – Fifth Round

Elise Mills (SC) def. (87) Alejandra Cruz (GT) 6-4, 6-2

Melodie Collard (UVA) def. Misa Malkin (SC) 7-6(2), 6-0