ATHENS, Ga.--The No. 5 Georgia women's tennis team picked up a thrilling doubles point and three singles matches to claim a 4-3 victory over in-state rival No. 24 Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.

 

"I was just thrilled today that we were able to get the win over our in-state rival Georgia Tech," said head coach Jeff Wallace. "We're 21-4 now overall against them and I feel pretty pleased with how we played. The doubles point was awesome, and that have us a great lift heading into singles."

 

In doubles, Georgia's top duo of Silvia Garcia and Kate Fuller, ranked 13th in the country, knocked off Georgia Tech's Elizabeth Kilborn and Jasmine Minor, 8-2. The Georgia duo remains perfect on the season with an 8-0 record. The Yellow Jackets evened the score when Kendal Woodard and Megan Kurey topped Georgia's Lauren Herring and Maho Kowase, 8-3. On court 3, Mia King and Lilly Kimbell beat Tech's Muriel Wacker and Natasha Prokhnevska, 9-8 (3) to clinch the doubles point for Georgia. King and Kimbell trailed 8-7, 40-15, but won four straight points to force the tiebreaker. The Bulldogs controlled the tiebreaker, winning the match on a wild Georgia Tech return.

 

In singles, Georgia got off to a quick start, winning the first set on the first four courts. Fuller gave Georgia a 2-0 lead with a 6-1, 7-6 (6) win over Tech's Kurey. Fuller improves to 17-4 this season. Eighth-ranked Herring added a point with a 6-3, 6-2 win over No. 62 Elizabeth Kilborn. The win is Herring's 24th of the season.

 

Georgia Tech got on the board when Kendal Woodard came from behind to beat No. 15 Kowase, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Freshman Silvia Garcia, ranked 100th in the country, clinched the match with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 win over Tech's Natasha Prokhnevska. It was Garcia's second match clincher of the season.

 

With the match outcome decided, Georgia Tech's Muriel Wacker beat Georgia's King, 3-6, 6-5, 1-0 (10-5). Shortly after, Kimbell fell 7-5, 6-0 to Minor.

 

Georgia improves to 21-4 all-time versus Georgia Tech, including 10-1 in Athens.

 

The match was originally slated to be played outdoors, but was moved inside prior to the start of play because of rain.

 

Georgia will start conference play on Saturday when they travel to Knoxville, Tenn. to take on the Tennessee Volunteers. The match is scheduled to start at noon.

 

Georgia Tech vs Georgia

Feb. 23, 2013 at Athens, Ga

 

#5 Georgia 4, #24 Georgia Tech 3

 

 Singles

1. #8 Lauren Herring (UGA) def. #62 Elizabeth Kilborn (GT) 6-3, 6-2

2. Kendal Woodard (GT) def. #15 Maho Kowase (UGA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

3. #100 Silvia Garcia (UGA) def. Natasha Prokhnevska (GT) 6-4, 3-6, 6-0

4. #96 Kate Fuller (UGA) def. Megan Kurey (GT) 6-1 (8-6), 7-6

5. Muriel Wacker (GT) def. Mia King (UGA) 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5)

6. Jasmine Minor (GT) def. Lilly Kimbell (UGA) 7-5, 6-0

 

 Doubles

1. #13 Kate Fuller/Silvia Garcia (UGA) def. Elizabeth Kilborn/Jasmine Minor (GT) 8-2

2. Kendal Woodard/Megan Kurey (GT) def. Lauren Herring/Maho Kowase (UGA) 8-3

3. Lilly Kimbell/Mia King (UGA) def. Muriel Wacker/Natasha Prokhnevska (GT) 9-8 (7-3)

 

Match Notes:

Georgia Tech 2-4; National ranking #24

Georgia 6-1; National ranking #5

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,1,2,3,5,6)

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