State Falls 5-2 To 39th-Ranked Alabama In Women's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Mississippi State suffered a 5-2 setback to 39th-tranked Alabama on Sunday in women's tennis activity on the University of Alabama campus. State concludes the first SEC road weekend with a 1-1 record after posting a 6-1 win over the Auburn Tigers on Friday.
Sophomores Renee Joseph and Polina Kokoulina wrapped up the weekend slate with two victories at the No. 3 and 4 positions respectively. Joseph defeated Mari Muller of the Crimson Tide 6-3, 6-3, while Kokoulina topped Andrea Brenes of UA in straight sets 6-2, 6-4. Senior Anastasia Kugakolova battled seventh-ranked Robin Stephenson, but fell 6-3, 6-4. Alabama's Ashley Bentley, ranked 87th, dropped State's Martina Banikova 6-1, 6-0.
At the No. 2 doubles slot, MState's pairing of Banikova and Elna de Villiers built a 7-3 advantage over UA's tandem of Muller and Melissa Day, but the Crimson Tide duo fought back to win the match 9-8(5).
After a weekend off from competition, the Lady Bulldogs will return home to face Kentucky on March 24 and Vanderbilt on March 26. The MSU-UK match up is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre.
#39 Alabama 5, Mississippi State 2
Singles
1. #7 Robin Stephenson (UA) def. Anastasia Kugakolova (MSU) 6-3, 6-4
2. #87 Ashley Bentley (UA) def. Martina Banikova (MSU) 6-1, 6-0
3. Renee Joseph (MSU) def. Mari Muller (UA) 6-3, 6-3
4. Polina Kokoulina (MSU) def. Andrea Brenes (UA) 6-2, 6-4
5. Shelley Godwin (UA) def. Daniela Juskova (MSU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Sofia Ayala (UA) def. Tatiana Feit (MSU) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles
1. #15 Robin Stephenson/Ashley Bentley (UA) def. Anastasia Kugakolova/Polina Kokoulina (MSU) 8-3
2. Mari Muller/Melissa Day (UA) def. Elna de Villiers/Martina Banikova (MSU) 9-8 (7-5)
3. Natalie McElveen/Andrea Brenes (UA) def. Daniela Juskova/Renee Joseph (MSU) 8-5