Bulldogs Fall At Memphis, 4-3

Sunday, February 11

Memphis, Tenn.

12 p.m.

Mississippi State

Memphis

STARKVILLE, MS - February 05, 2023 - Mississippi State Tennis Balls before the match between the Jackson State Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Rula Tennis Pavilion in Starkville, MS. Photo By Will Porada

Photo by: Will Porada/MSU Athletics

February 11, 2024 | Women's Tennis

By: Logan Lowery, Assistant Director/Communications

MEMPHIS, Tenn., - Mississippi State's first road match of the season went down to the wire.

In fact, a pair of third-set tiebreakers on the final two courts decided the outcome between the Bulldogs and Memphis. In the end, it was the Tigers that ultimately came out on top, eking out a 4-3 victory inside the Leftwich Tennis Center.

Memphis' victory snapped a 17-match winning streak in the series by the Bulldogs that dated back to 1982.

The match started strong for Chris Hooshyar's squad as MSU (6-1) built an early 3-1 advantage. Dharani Niroshan and Alessia Tagliente began the afternoon with a 6-4 victory over Miriam Grosman and Leonie Moeller. The doubles point was then awarded to the Bulldogs as Alexandra Mikhailuk and Athina Pitta secured a 6-3 win against Camila Soares and Monique Woog.

Niroshan carried the momentum into singles where she earned a 6-3, 6-3 win over Emily Meyer to give State a 2-0 lead.

Memphis got on the board next as Moeller clipped Chloé Cirotte 6-1, 6-3. The Bulldogs were able to bounce back to take a 3-1 advantage after Mikhailuk won easily over Woog 6-4, 6-0.

The Tigers kept things alive as Soares survived a three-set battle with Maria Rizzolo on Court 1, winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-0. Micah Pierce tied the match at three-all by edging Jayna Clemens 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(2) leaving it to Court 5 to decide the outcome.

The match between Tagliente and the Tigers' Alice Amendola was an absolute war with all three sets going to tiebreakers. Amendola gained the upper hand early winning 7-6(3) before Tagliente tied things up with a 7-6(3) win in the second set.

Amendola prevailed 7-6(2) in the third and final set to push Memphis to 5-3 on the year.

Mississippi State returns to Starkville for a three-match homestand. First up for the Bulldogs will be facing off against Louisiana on Friday at 1 p.m.

Memphis 4, Mississippi State 3
Leftwich Tennis Center | Memphis, Tenn.
Feb. 11, 2024

Doubles
1. Alexandra Mikhailuk/Athina Pitta (MSU) def. Camila Soares/Monique Woog (MEM) 6-3
2. Emily Meyer/Alice Amendola (MEM) vs. Chloe Cirotte/Jayna Clemens (MSU) 4-5, unfinished
3. Dharani Niroshan/Alessia Tagliente (MSU) def. Miriam Grosman/Leonie Moeller (MEM) 6-4
Order of finish: (3,1);

Singles
1. Camila Soares (MEM) def. Maria Rizzolo (MS) 6-2, 4-6, 6-0
2. Leonie Moeller (MEM) def. Chloe Cirotte (MS) 6-1, 6-3
3. Alexandra Mikhailuk (MS) def. Monique Woog (MEM) 6-4, 6-0
4. Dharani Niroshan (MS) def. Emily Meyer (MEM) 6-3, 6-3
5. Alice Amendola (MEM) def. Alessia Tagliente (MS) 7-6(3), 6-7(6), 7-6(2)
6. Micah Pierce (MEM) def. Jayna Clemens (MS) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(2)
Order of finish: (4,2,3,1,6,5)
For more information on the Bulldog women's tennis program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateWT" on X, Instagram and Facebook.