Mississippi State
Troy
Senior De Villiers Clinches Exciting 4-3 Match For Lady Netters
February 07, 2009 | Women's Tennis
STARKVILLE, Miss. - In what was a back-and-forth battle all day, senior Elna de Villiers delivered the match-clinching three-set 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory at court 3 to give the Mississippi State women's tennis team (4-0) a 4-3 triumph over Troy on Saturday.
With the score tied at 3-3 and reaching the fourth hour of the match, all eyes were turned to court 3 where de Villiers was in a close 4-6, 6-3 contest with Troy's Mirte de Bakker. As both players fought off rallies from each opponent, de Villiers proved too tough for the Trojan defender, picking up the victory after an hour and fifteen minute battle.
"It was just really exciting," said de Villiers. "Every day I go out there and give my best for the team, and it means a lot to pick up the win for my team like that."
The day started with some early drama in doubles play. MSU fell behind early on each court in doubles to begin the match, but showed great determination.
On courts 1 and 3, both State duos fell behind 5-2, while on court #2, the senior tandem of Martina Banikova and de Villiers found themselves down 3-2 early on. MSU's Radka Ferancova and Daniela Juskova rebounded for an 8-6 triumph over Troy's Annabelle Bares and Gabriella Viega at position No. 3, while the freshman tandem of Natalia Mayuk and Olesya Tsigvintseva suffered their first loss of the season to Rawia Elsisi and Leonie Guijt of Troy 5-8 on court 1.
With the teams splitting positions 1 and 2 respectively, the doubles point came down to the final match on court with Banikova and de Villiers. The two fought hard for MSU, taking their match 9-7 to give State the point.
With a 1-0 lead after doubles, MSU looked to build momentum on their early lead. Junior Valeriya Makarycheva rebounded from her loss last weekend to pick up the quick 6-3, 6-1 straight-set victory over Troy's Stephanie Vierra at court 5. At position 2, Radka Ferancova fought for a win after Annabelle Bares of Troy defaulted due to sickness with Ferancova already up 6-3, 5-2.
The Lady Bulldogs went down on courts 4, 6 and 1, however, leaving the score at 3-3. That is when the efforts of de Villers came through to give State the victory.
With the win, State moves to 4-0 for the second consecutive year and for the eighth time in school history.
The still undefeated Lady Bulldogs will be back in action next week, as they step away from home to face Tulane next Friday, Feb. 13 in New Orleans, La.
Mississippi State 4, Troy 3
Feb. 7, 2009 ? A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre
DOUBLES ? Rawia Elsisi/Leonie Guijt (Troy) def. Natalia Mayuk/Olesya Tsigvintseva (MSU) 8-5; Martina Banikova/Elna de Villiers (MSU) def. Mirte De Bakker/Stephanie Vierra (Troy) 9-7; Radka Ferancova/Daniela Juskova (MSU) def. Annabelle Bares/Gabriella Viega (Troy) 8-6.
SINGLES ? Elsisi (Troy) def. Tsigvintseva (MSU) 6-0, 7-6 (5); Ferancova (MSU) def. Bares (Troy) 6-3, 5-2, ret.; de Villiers (MSU) def. Mirte de Bakker (Troy) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 ; Guijt (Troy) def. Mayuk (MSU) 6-3, 6-3; Valeriya Makarychevia (MSU) def. Vierra (Troy) 6-3, 6-1; Caroline Joauanin (Troy) def. Daniela Juskova (MSU) 6-1, 0-6, 6-4.
