Gamecocks Defeat Alabama 4-1 on the Road

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 23 South Carolina women’s tennis team wrapped up its two-match road trip with another win, defeating No. 32 Alabama 4-1 on Sunday afternoon.

The Gamecocks jumped to an early lead in doubles, clinching the first point of the match with wins from the No. 1 and 3 positions. No. 26 Sarah Hamner & Kaitlyn Carnicella grabbed a ranked win, topping No. 75 Petra Sedlackova and Maria Martinez 6-4. Alabama held a two-game lead at the No. 2 position but it remained unfinished as Lauren Friedman & Helena Buchwald delivered a dominant performance, shutting out their opponent 6-0.

South Carolina continued to set the tone in singles action, carrying the momentum over to earn five first set wins. No. 23 Sarah Hamner put forth a strong performance at the top singles spot, defeating No. 75 Petra Sedlackova 6-4, 6-3.

Lauren Friedman extended the Gamecocks’ lead with a solid 6-3, 6-3 showing over Priya Nelson at the No. 6 position. The senior’s victory marked her first singles win this season. Olympe Lancelot followed with another straight-set win, defeating Maria Martinez-Vaque 6-4, 6-2 after battling back from an 0-3 deficit in the first set to clinch the win for South Carolina.

Alabama’s lone point came from No. 5 singles, where Margaux Maquet claimed a victory after Helena Buchwald was forced to retire following a 6-3 first set.

The Gamecocks return home to host a doubleheader on Fri., April 4 starting with Missouri at 11:30 a.m. before rounding out the day with SC State at 4:00 p.m.

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

(23) South Carolina 4, (32) Alabama 1

Doubles (order of finish: 3,1)

1. #26 Sarah Hamner/Kaitlyn Carnicella (SC) def. Petra Sedlackova/Maria Martinez-Vaque (UA) 6-4
2. Klara Milicevic/Sara Nayar (UA) led Bella Bergkvist Larsson/Olympe Lancelot (SC) 5-3
3. Lauren Friedman/Helena Buchwald (SC) def. Margaux Maquet/Priya Nelson (UA) 6-0

Singles (order of finish: 5,1,6,3)

1. #23 Sarah Hamner (SC) def. #75 Petra Sedlackova (UA) 6-4, 6-3
2. #93 Kaitlyn Carnicella (SC) led Kara Milicevic (UA) 7-6(5), 2-3, unfinished
3. Olympe Lancelot (SC) def. Maria Martinez-Vaque (UA) 6-4, 6-2
4. Sara Nayar (UA) led Bella Bergkvist Larsson (SC) 7-6(4), 0-5, unfinished
5. Margaux Maquet (UA) def. Helena Buchwald 3-6, retired
6. Lauren Friedman (SC) def. Priya Nelson (UA) 6-3, 6-3

Records

South Carolina: 12-7 (overall), 7-4 (SEC)

Alabama: 9-10 (overall), 3-8 (SEC)