University of Missouri
South Carolina
Tennis Unable to Fend Off No. 45 South Carolina, 2-5
3/20/2022 12:24:00 PM | Tennis
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri tennis program (6-12, 1-4 SEC) dropped its second competition of the weekend to No. 45 South Carolina (8-7, 3-3 SEC) on Sunday morning, 2-5. The Tigers hosted the Gamecocks in the team's first outdoor match of the season, which doubled as a pink match in support of breast cancer awareness.
No. 45 South Carolina jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after securing the doubles point and a quick singles point. Singles competition was fierce between the two teams as Missouri battled back from a deficit. Emelie Schwarte put the Tigers on the board, securing her first ranked win of the season against No. 85 Elise Mills, 6-3, 6-1. Bronte Murgett remained aggressive in her fight against No. 2 Sarah Hamner, forcing a third set against one of the top singles players in the country. Murgett dropped the third set, nearly victorious against her ranked opponent, 4-6, 6-2, 3-6. Gabriela Martinez posted the second point for Mizzou, tallying a strong comeback after a slow start in the second set, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).
"Today we gave 100 percent of everything we had! I am proud of this team and the response to having five of our players out of the lineup due to injury or illness. We showed true grit today and pushed South Carolina to the brink" said coach Chris Wootton. "Sometimes the points go your way and sometimes they don't. Today, South Carolina got the best on the big points. I congratulate them for stepping up after a tough road loss on Friday. We are proud to represent Breast Cancer Awareness by wearing pink today. We had a great fan turnout and I appreciate the fight that our Tiger Nation put up for us. We will return with a full lineup next week and I look forward to giving both schools in Alabama all they can handle. M-I-Z!"
The Tigers are on the road next week as they face two more ranked SEC opponents. On Friday, March 25, Mizzou takes on No. 19 Alabama and then on Sunday, March 27, the team will play No. 9 Auburn.
Final Results
Doubles
Hamner/Davies (SC) def. Murgett/Schwarte (MU) – 6-1
Akli/Cruz (SC) vs. Martinez/Wright (MU) – 4-1, unfinished
SC/SC def. Ventura/MU – win by default
Singles
No. 2 Hamner (SC) def. Murgett (MU) – 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
No. 66 Akli (SC) def. Ventura (MU) – 6-0, 6-1
Davies (SC) def. Wright (MU) – 6-3, 6-4
Schwarte (MU) def. No. 85 Mills (SC) – 6-3, 6-1
Martinez (MU) def. Malkin (SC) – 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
SC def. MU – win by default
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
6,2,4,3,1,5
