Razorback Women's Tennis Defeats Ole Miss, 4-3

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas women’s tennis team opened SEC play with a 4-3 win against Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 20). The Razorbacks remain undefeated and improve to 6-0 overall and 1-0 against conference foes.

The Razorbacks jumped out to a 1-0 lead, claiming doubles wins on courts one and two. Laura Rijkers and Kelly Keller dropped their doubles match on court three 6-1, but No. 28 doubles-duo Lauren Alter and Tatum Rice rebounded with an Arkansas win, defeating their Ole Miss counterparts Sabina Machalova and Alexa Bortles 6-3.

With each team securing one doubles win apiece, Arkansas looked to freshmen Morgan Cross and Indianna Spink to clinch the doubles point on court two. Cross and Spink won their fourth doubles match of the spring with a 7-6 (0) victory versus Rebels Tiphanie Fiquet and Lillian Gabrielsen.

Cross and Alter were the only Razorbacks to win in straight sets in singles play. Cross was the first to finish, taking down Anna Vrbenska of Ole Miss 6-4, 6-2 on court four. Alter soon followed with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Alexa Bortles.

The Razorbacks’ first singles loss came when Rice dropped her match on court three 7-5, 6-1 to Rebel Tereza Janatova. Shortly after, Arkansas and Ole Miss were tied at 3-3, as Keller and Spink dropped marathon battles to their opponents. Keller competed for the Hogs on court one, falling to no. 39 Sabina Machalova 7-6  (5), 7-6 (5), despite taking the Rebel to tiebreakers in both sets. Spink stormed out with a 6-3 set-one win but ultimately dropped the second set and the tiebreaker to Tiphanie Fiquet 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (5).

With the fans gathering around court six, the Razorbacks cheered for Rijkers all the way through her match-winning victory against Ole Miss’ Kelsey Mize 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-4. Rijkers stays undefeated on the season, improving to 5-0 in singles play.

Arkansas returns to the courts on Monday (Feb. 22) to continue play against Mississippi State at 11 am.  Monday’s match against the Bulldogs will take place at the Billingsley Tennis Center on the Dills Indoor Courts, fans can catch the action live on PlaySight.

Fans are encouraged to visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on all things Arkansas Women’s Tennis. You can also find the Hogs on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Women’s Tennis) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackWTEN).