Mississippi State
Kentucky
Bulldogs Cap Season At SEC Championships
April 17, 2024 | Women's Tennis
ATHENS, Ga. - Mississippi State picked up a pair of wins during the opening round of the SEC Championships on Wednesday.
But it would not be enough to extend the Bulldogs' season. MSU fell 4-1 to No. 67 Kentucky at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex capping the first season under head coach Chris Hooshyar.
The Bulldog doubles duo of Dharani Niroshan and Maria Rizzolo teamed up for just the second time this season and downed the UK tandem of Maialen Morante and Julia Zhu. However, the Wildcats would win the doubles point by claiming the other two courts.
State's lone win in singles came from freshman Jayna Clemens. Clemens topped Morante in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 to secure her second straight singles win against a conference opponent. The Lewisville, Texas native clinched the Bulldogs' win over Missouri to close out the regular season this past Sunday.
When Kentucky (9-14) clinched Wednesday's match, Niroshan and Alexandra Mikhailuk were beginning final sets after both Bulldogs rallied back for 6-3 victories in their second set.
Mississippi State closes the 2023-24 campaign with a 10-14 record.
No. 67 Kentucky 4, Mississippi State 1Dan Magill Tennis Complex | Athens, Ga.
April 17, 2024
Doubles
1. No. 56 Makayla Mills/Elizabeth Stevens (UK) def. Alexandra Mikhailuk/Athina Pitta (MSU) 6-4
2. Ellie Eades/Zoe Hammond (UK) def. Chloé Cirotte/Jayna Clemens (MSU) 6-2
3. Dharani Niroshan/Maria Rizzolo (MSU) def. Maialen Morante/Julia Zhu (UK) 6-3
Order of finish: (2,3,1)
Singles
1. Zoe Hammond (UK) vs. Alexandra Mikhailuk (MSU) 6-3, 3-6, unfinished
2. Elizabeth Stevens (UK) def. Maria Rizzolo (MSU) 6-1, 7-5
3. Ellie Eades (UK) def. Chloé Cirotte (MSU) 6-3, 6-4
4. Julia Zhu (UK) def. Athina Pitta (MSU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Makayla Mills (UK) vs. Dharani Niroshan (MSU) 6-3, 3-6, 2-2, unfinished
6. Jayna Clemens (MSU) def. Maialen Morante (UK) 6-2, 6-2
Order of finish: (4,2,6,3)
For more information on the Bulldog women's tennis program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateWT" on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
