No. 25 USC Downs No. 65 MSU 5-1 In SEC Opener
May 25, 2016 | Women's Tennis
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Senior Carole Soubis claimed a straight-set victory over South Carolina's 85th-ranked Katarina Markovski, but it was not enough as the No. 25 Gamecocks held on for a 5-1 win over 65th-ranked Mississippi State in the SEC opener for both teams Friday afternoon at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre.
Soubis dominated her match for MSU (4-6, 0-1), winning in convincing 6-2, 6-3 fashion. The Gamecocks (7-1, 1-0) notched straight-set victories in the other five matches to clinch the win in the shortened match and put MSU at 0-3 on its current six-match homestand.
The two teams played singles action to begin the contest due to the threat of rain that was scheduled to move into Starkville Friday.
South Carolina claimed the early 1-0 lead when Tamara Sutton downed State's Justyna Switala 6-1, 6-0. The Gamecocks increased the lead over head coach Tracy Lane's Lady Dog squad when Lynn-Yin Tan staked a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Yumi Ueda at the No. 4 position.
Playing in her first match at the No. 3 position, freshman Magdolna Rekasi dropped a 6-4, 6-2 decision to 138th-ranked Kathy Boyanovich. Carolina clinched the victory with Jodi Kenoyer's 6-2, 6-2 win over Elaine Fagan at No. 5. Camila Sagae put up a fight against Jennifer Radman at No. 2, but the Sao Paulo, Brazil, native fell 6-1, 7-5 to give the Gamecocks the final point.
"We are still a long way from where we need to be," Lane said. "We allowed ourselves to be out-played by unforced errors. We have to be better prepared and not make too many mistakes. In this league, you have to make plays."
The Lady Bulldogs continue their six-match homestand Sunday, taking on fifth-ranked Florida in a match set for a 1 p.m. start at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre.
#25 SOUTH CAROLINA 5, #65 MISSISSIPPI STATE 1
March 1, 2002; Starkville, Miss.
Singles -- Carole Soubis (MSU) d. #85 Katarina Markovski (USC) 6-2, 6-3; Jennifer Radman (USC) d. Camila Sagae (MSU) 6-1, 7-5; #138 Kathy Boyanovich (USC) d. Magdolna Rekasi (MSU) 6-4, 6-2; Lynn-Yin Tan (USC) d. Yumi Ueda (MSU) 6-0, 6-3; Jodi Kenoyer (USC) d. Elaine Fagan (MSU) 6-2, 6-2; Tamara Sutton (USC) d. Justyna Switala (MSU) 6-1, 6-0.
Doubles -- Not Played.
