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Gamecocks Overcome Wildcats, 4-3, in Afternoon Thriller
Women's Tennis  . 

Gamecocks Overcome Wildcats, 4-3, in Afternoon Thriller

COLUMBIA, SC  – The No. 33 South Carolina women’s tennis team defeated Kentucky, 4-3, on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the Carolina Tennis Center. The Gamecocks overcame an early doubles deficit with four singles wins. 

Kaitlyn Carnicella and Jana Stojanova set the tone early with a strong 6-1 win from court one. The other two Gamecock doubles pairs tied things up at 4-4 apiece, but Kentucky edged ahead, taking both courts 6-4, claiming the doubles point as well. 

The Gamecocks responded in singles, winning four of six matches to secure the comeback victory. No. 57 Carnicella evened the match early with a 6-4, 6-2 win over No. 72 Zoe Hammond on court one. Stojanova followed with a straight-set 7-5, 6-3 victory against her opponent, to give South Carolina its first lead of the day.

Kentucky briefly tied the match after Elena Molla defeated Taylor Goetz 6-3, 6-4, from court four, but the Gamecocks regained momentum behind a pair of three-set wins. No. 50 Helena Buchwald battled the heat and secured a comeback victory over No. 99 Julia Zhu, 6-7(0), 6-3, 6-1. Sara Borkop rallied past Reese Sager 6-7(5), 7-6(2), 6-3 on court five, to clinch the win for South Carolina. 

The Gamecocks hit the road for the final time this season, as they take on Mississippi State on Thursday. First serve is set for 4 p.m. in Starkville. 

No. 33 South Carolina 4, Kentucky 3

Doubles (order of finish: 2, 3,1)

  1. Asuncion Jadue & Reese Sager (UK) def. No. 12 Helena Buchwald & Lauren Friedman (SC) 6-4
  2. Kaitlyn Carnicella & Jana Stojanova (SC) def. Donna Le Roux & Julia Zhu (UK) 6-1
  3. Ellie Myers & Zoe Hammond (UK) def. Jane Dunyon & Sara Borkop (SC) 6-4

Singles (order of finish: 1, 4, 5, 6, 2, 3)

  1. No. 57 Kaitlyn Carnicella (SC) def. No. 72 Zoe Hammond (UK) 6-4, 6-2
  2. No. 50 Helena Buchwald (SC) def. No. 99 Julia Zhu (UK) 6(0)-7, 6-3, 6-1
  3. Sara Borkop (SC) def. Reese Sager (UK) 6(5)-7, 7-6(2), 6-3
  4. Elena Molla (UK) def. Taylor Goetz (SC) 6-3, 6-4
  5. Jana Stojanova (SC) def. Asuncion Jadue (UK) 7-5, 6-3
  6. Donna Le Roux (UK) def. Jane Dunyon (SC) 4-6, 7-5, 6-2

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