Impressive day for tennis at Virginia Invite
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The 14th-ranked University of Arkansas Razorback women’s tennis team opened their spring season in fine fashion to finish 7-2 overall on day one of the Virginia Winter Invite.
“Today was an encouraging way to open the spring season,” said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty. “We took a lot of positives out of the matches and learned plenty about where we are at right now with our squad."
Second-ranked Aurelija Miseviciute dropped a top 50 opponent in No. 42 Jennifer Stevens from host University of Virginia, 6-4, 6-1. Sophomore Anouk Tigu, ranked No. 66 in singles, shot down Virginia’s Lindsey Hardenbergh, 6-2, 7-5. The Razorbacks’ led the charge as Arkansas finished the day 5-1 in singles, including four straight-set victories.
Strong play by the Razorbacks was also seen in doubles action, which caught the eye of the Arkansas coaching staff.
“What was most pleasing today was our effort and intensity in the doubles matches. Our doubles was such a spark for us to begin each match last season and today showed signs of that against some excellent teams,” Hegarty said.
Senior Nanar Airapetian and Tigu carried their impressive play from the fall over into the spring season, defeating No. 32 Stevens and Fraser of Virginia. In the Razorbacks other doubles victory, seniors Miseviciute and Ela Kaluder won against Virginia’s Amanda Rales and Maggie Yahner.
Day two individual and double matches of the Virginia Winter Invite will begin on Sunday at 8 a.m. For more information on Razorback women’s tennis please visit ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM.
Singles1. #2 Aurelija Miseviciute (UA) def. #42 Jennifer Stevens (UVA), 6-4, 6-1.2. #66 Anouk Tigu (UA) def. Lindsey Hardenbergh (UVA), 6-2, 7-5.3. Ela Kaluder (UA) def. Amanda Rales (UVA), 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.4. #82 Emily Fraser (UVA) def. Nanar Airapetian (UA), 6-1, 6-1.5. Emily Carbone (UA) def. Neela Vaez (UVA), 6-2, 6-1.6. Kate Lukomskaya (UA) def. Linzee Mabrey, 6-2, 6-2.
Doubles1. #8 Nanar Airapetian/Anouk Tigu (UA) def. #32 Emily Fraser/Jennifer Stevens (UVA), 8-5.2. Aurelija Miseviciute/Ela Kaluder (UA) def. Amanda Rales/Maggie Yahner (UVA), 8-6.
