Bulldogs Drop SEC Opener

Saturday, March 2

Oxford, Miss.

1 p.m.

Mississippi State

Ole Miss

STARKVILLE, MS - February 10, 2023 - \wt during the match between the Belmont Bruins and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the AJ Pitts Tennis Centre in Starkville, MS. Photo By Jaden Powell

Photo by: Jaden Powell/MSU Athletics

March 02, 2024 | Women's Tennis

By: Logan Lowery, Assistant Director/Communications

OXFORD – Mississippi State earned the first win of the day in doubles during its Southeastern Conference opener on Saturday.

Chris Hooshyar's Bulldogs, however, were unable to sustain the early momentum and fell to 42^nd-ranked Ole Miss 4-0 at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center.

In their first time teaming together, Maria Rizzolo and Alessia Tagliente started the afternoon strong with their 6-2 victory over Kelsey Mize and Andrea Nova. The Rebels rallied back to take the other two courts by the same score to secure the doubles point.

Alexandra Mikhailuk, Athina Pitta and Jayna Clemens all took their respective first sets in singles but were unable to complete their matches. Clemens' opponent, Rachel Krzyzak, was able to thwart two match points in the second set to keep the Bulldogs off the board.

Chloé Cirotte split her first two sets with Briana Crowley of the Rebels. Crowley claimed the first set 6-3 before Cirotte bounced back with a 6-4 win in the second. Ole Miss (6-2, 1-0 SEC) was able to clinch the match as Crowley prevailed 6-0 in a decisive third set.

State (9-4, 0-1 SEC) is set to host its first conference match of the spring against Texas A&M on Friday at 3 p.m.

No. 42 Ole Miss 4, Mississippi State 0
Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center | Oxford, Miss.
March 2, 2024

Doubles
1. Briana Crowley/Ava Hrastar (UM) def. Alexandra Mikhailuk/Athina Pitta (MSU) 6-2
2. Ludmila Karelsova/Anaelle Leclerq (UM) def. Chloé Cirotte/Jayna Clemens (MSU) 6-2
3. Maria Rizzolo/Alessia Tagliente (MSU) def. Kelsey Mize/Andrea Nova (UM) 6-2
Order of finish: (3,2,1)

Singles
1. Alexandra Mikhailuk (MSU) vs. Ana Hrastar (UM) 6-3, 2-6, 2-2 unfinished
2. Ludmila Karelsova (UM) def. Maria Rizzolo (MSU) 6-3, 6-1
3. Briana Crowley (UM) def. Chloé Cirotte (MSU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-0
4. Athina Pitta (MSU) vs. Anaelle Leclerq (UM) 7-5, 3-6, 2-1 unfinished
5. Jayna Clemens (MSU) vs. Rachel Krzyzak (UM) 7-6(4), 5-5 unfinished
6. Emma Kette (UM) def. Alessia Tagliente (MSU) 6-0, 6-2
Order of finish: (6,2,3)

For more information on the Bulldog women's tennis program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateWT" on X, Instagram and Facebook.