No. 27 Bulldog Women?s Tennis Set For SEC Road Swing
Following this past Sunday’s upset against then-No. 6 Alabama, the Bulldogs jumped in the team rankings to No. 27, the highest ranking since May 3, 2005, when the Bulldogs were 26th. MSU also improved to 10-0 at home this season, marking the first time that the Bulldogs have won 10 home matches in a season.
MSU fared well in the top of the lineup on Sunday, as sophomore sensation Jasmine Lee earned her first career win over a ranked opponent, while also getting her first start at the No. 1 slot. Lee is now 11-1 on the season and 4-1 in the SEC. Junior Georgiana Patrasc also picked up her first ranked win in dual match play, defeating Alabama’s 54th-ranked Danielle Spielmann at No. 2.
State also continues to play well at the bottom of the lineup, specifically at the No. 6 position. Sophomore Timea Guibe also enters the weekend at 11-0 and still unbeaten in the SEC at 3-0. Despite falling in a close three-set bout on Sunday, freshman Jennifer Brown enters the weekend at 10-3 on the season, with eight of her victories coming at the No. 5 position.
Rounding out the singles lineup is two-time SEC Freshman of the Week selection Louise Ronaldson at No. 4 and sophomore Martina Frantova at No. 3. Frantova is 9-4 in dual matches this spring. Ronaldson moved to 8-5 in dual match play and 2-2 in the SEC with her thrilling 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (2) win against Alabama’s Emily Zabor on Sunday, which clinched the win for the Bulldogs.
South Carolina enters Friday’s match at 9-6 overall and 2-4 in the SEC. Ranked at No. 43, the Gamecocks dropped their most recent SEC match to No. 44 Arkansas, 4-3 last Sunday in Fayetteville. South Carolina is led by 74th-ranked senior Elixane Lechemia, who comes in at 8-4 overall and 4-2 in the SEC. In doubles, the Gamecocks feature two ranked tandems, including freshman Hadley Berg and sophomore Caroline Dailey composing the 53rd-ranked duo. They are 5-2 in dual match play and 2-2 in the SEC. Meghan Blevins and sophomore Brigit Folland make up the 45th-ranked duo and enter the weekend at 10-3 and 4-2 in the SEC.
Florida enters the weekend at 13-1 overall and 5-0 in the SEC. UF has managed to sweep its last four SEC opponents, including No. 30 Auburn, No. 46 LSU, No. 44 Arkansas and unranked Missouri. The Gators are led by five nationally-ranked players in singles, three of which are ranked within the top 25. Freshman Brooke Austin is ranked No.5 nationally and anchors the top position for the Gators, earning a 9-4 record and four SEC wins at No. 1. At the No. 2 slot is sixth-ranked freshman Josie Kuhlman, who is 7-2 in dual match play and 4-0 in the SEC. 20th-ranked junior Brianna Morgan is 8-2 on the season and 4-0 in the SEC, earning all of her wins on court three.
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