Women’s Tennis Holds Off Samford, 4-3

Sunday, February 9

New Orleans

Noon

Tulane University

Samford

Photo by: Parker Waters

Feb 9, 2020 | Women's Tennis

Box Score

NEW ORLEANS – The Tulane women's tennis team held on for a resilient, 4-3 home victory over Samford on Sunday afternoon at the City Park Tennis Center.

Tulane (5-2) got off to a strong start with its doubles play, earning a late break on court three before seniors Christina Sisti and Laura Fabrizi closed out a 6-4 win. Despite facing a 3-2 deficit on court two, sophomore Adelaide Lavery and freshman Lahari Yelamanchili took control by winning four of the next five games to finish off a 6-4 victory and clinch the doubles point.

After falling on court six in an abbreviated match, the Green Wave fell behind, 2-1, when Samford (3-2) grabbed a straight-set victory on court five.

Lavery was quick to respond for the Wave, winning her first set, 6-1, on court two against Grace Jennings. Despite falling behind, 5-1, in the second frame, Lavery stormed back to win six consecutive games to win, 7-5, and tie up scoreboard, 2-2.

Tulane reclaimed the lead, 3-2, when junior Lauren Gish closed out her No. 4 singles match against Elsa Pool in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, but there was plenty more tennis still to be played.

Courts one and three both went to deciding third sets, as Yelamanchili claimed the first set on court three, 6-2, against Natalia De Ugarte, but couldn't hang on in the two subsequent frames, as the Bulldogs knotted up the score, 3-3, with all attention turned to court one.

Ranked No. 103 nationally, freshman Mackenzie Clark jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the first set at the No. 1 spot, and despite a valiant comeback effort by R.J. Van Rensburg, Clark closed it out, 7-5. Van Rensburg jumped out to a 5-1 advantage on Clark in the second, as Clark fought back to win four straight games and tie it up, at five-all. Van Rensburg held on however, holding serve and then breaking to force a third frame.

Clark held an early 3-1 lead in the final set, but Van Rensburg fought back to take a 5-4 advantage. Holding serve, Clark battled back to win three consecutive games, closing out her third win of the spring and clinching for the Green Wave.

Tulane remains at home to host Nicholls on Wednesday, February. First serve is set for 2:30 p.m., in City Park.

Tulane 4, Samford 3
Singles competition
1. #103 Mackenzie Clark (TLN) def. R.J. Van Rensburg (SAM-W) 7-5, 5-7, 7-5
2. Adelaide Lavery (TLN) def. Grace Jennings (SAM-W) 6-1, 7-5
3. Natalia De Ugarte (SAM-W) def. Lahari Yelamanchili (TLN) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
4. Lauren Gish (TLN) def. Elsa Pool (SAM-W) 6-3, 6-4
5. Arianna Beltrame (SAM-W) def. Christina Sisti (TLN) 6-1, 6-0
6. Cindy Oest (SAM-W) def. Laura Fabrizi (TLN) 3-4, retired
Doubles competition
1. Mackenzie Clark/Lauren Gish (TLN) vs. R.J. Van Rensburg/Elsa Pool (SAM-W) 5-4, unfinished
2. Adelaide Lavery/Lahari Yelamanchili (TLN) def. Natalia De Ugarte/Arianna Beltrame (SAM-W) 6-4
3. Laura Fabrizi/Christina Sisti (TLN) def. Holly Horsfall/Cindy Oest (SAM-W) 6-4

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (6,5,2,4,3,1)

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