Women’s Tennis Starts Season 2-0

Columbia, S.C. – ­South Carolina women’s tennis started the season perfect with sweeps of Coastal Carolina and Presbyterian at their season opener on Sunday. The Gamecocks were dominant in both matches, only giving up one set all day.

Against the Chanticleers, doubles was clinched by juniors Sarah Hamner and Misa Malkin at the No. 2 spot in the lineup with a 6-3 victory over Nicole Abel and Aida Maria Mitrache.

In singles, No. 6 Ayana Akli claimed South Carolina’s first point with a dominant 6-0, 6-1 win over Abel. The next point came from Malkin at the fourth spot in the lineup where she took down Mitrache in a strong 6-1, 6-1 showing. The clinch was delivered by No. 4 Hamner who defeated Anna Babayan 6-0, 6-3.

The Gamecocks were up on two of the three remaining courts when play was suspended.

Against the Blue Hose, Akli and Hamner teamed up at the top spot in the doubles lineup to clinch the point, taking down Luciana Piedra and Matilde Delaney 6-2.

In singles, the first point came from graduate Elise Mills at the No. 6 position where she had a near perfect match, taking down Madison Dennett 6-0, 6-1.

South Carolina’s next two points came in near unison with Hamer earning a 6-1, 6-2 win while Malkin earned a 6-2, 6-0 win right beside her for the clinch.

The Gamecocks will continue dual action on the road in Athens, Ga., for ITA Kickoff Weekend. Their first match will be against Arizona on Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. and they will then face either Georgia of USF on Jan. 27.

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

South Carolina 4, Coastal Carolina 0

Doubles (order of finish: 1, 2)

1. Ayana Akli/Olympe Lancelot (SC) def. Anna Babayan/Jesse Hollins (CCU) 6-1
2. Sarah Hamner/Misa Malkin (SC) def. Nicole Abel/Aida Maria Mitrache (CCU) 6-3
3. Shahar Biran/Elise Mills (SC) vs. Katya Hersh/Cecile Morin (CCU) 5-3, unfinished

Singles (order of finish: 1, 4, 2)

1. #6 Ayana Akli (SC) def. Nicole Abel (CCU) 6-0, 6-1
2. #4 Sarah Hamner (SC) def. Anna Babayan (CCU) 6-0, 6-3
3. #76 Shahar Biran (SC) vs. Jesse Hollins (CCU) 6-1, 5-3, unfinished
4. Misa Malkin (SC) def. Aida Maria Mitrache (CCU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Elise Mills (SC) vs. Kata Foldeak (CCU) 6-1, 3-6, unfinished
6. Olympe Lancelot (SC) vs. Cecile Morin (CCU) 6-2, 5-2, unfinished

South Carolina 4, Presbyterian 0

Doubles (order of finish: 2, 1)

1. Ayana Akli/Sarah Hamner (SC) def. Luciana Piedra/Mathilde Delaney (PRESBY) 6-2
2. Misa Malkin/Olympe Lancelot (SC) def. McKenzie Davis/Madison Dennett (PRESBY) 6-1
3. Shahar Biran/Anna Kantor (SC) vs. Claudia Sanchez/Valentina De Sousa (PRESBY) 4-3, unfinished

Singles (order of finish: 6, 2, 4)

1. #6 Ayana Akli (SC) vs. McKenzie Davis (PRESBY) 6-3, 5-0, unfinished
2. #4 Sarah Hamner (SC) def. Luciana Piedra (PRESBY) 6-1, 6-2
3. #76 Shahar Biran (SC) vs. Mathilde Delaney (PRESBY) 6-3, 3-1, unfinished
4. Misa Malkin (SC) def. Claudia Sanchez (PRESBY) 6-2, 6-0
5. Olympe Lancelot (SC) vs. Valentina De Sousa (PRESBY) 6-2, 3-0, unfinished
6. Elise Mills (SC) def. Madison Dennett (PRESBY) 6-0, 6-1