Sunday, 01/15/2012

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The 23rd-ranked Alabama women’s tennis team picked up seven wins against opponents from No. 9 Virginia and one against Utah on Sunday at the UVA Invitational. The Crimson Tide has collected a combined 17 total victories in the two days of play at the tournament.

Alabama won all three of its doubles matches against the Cavaliers and has yet to drop a doubles match thus far. Senior Courtney McLane and junior Alexa Guarachi posted an 8-6 win over Virginia juniors Hana Tomljanovic and Erin Vierra, 8-5, while junior Antonia Foehse and sophomore Mary Anne Macfarlane posted an 8-5 decision over the Cavalier duo of senior Lindsey Hardenbergh and junior Maria Fuccillo. Senior Taylor Lindsey and freshman Yasmeen Ebada would pick up Alabama’s third win in doubles with an 8-5 victory against Virginia sophomore Caryssa Peretz and freshman Molly O’Koniewski.

“I was encouraged with the way we competed today,” said Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz. “We came out of the gate with energy and played some inspiring doubles. Alexa and Courtney played a dynamic match and provided momentum for courts two and three. Mary Anne and Antonia were down 2-6 and made a staunch comeback. Taylor and Yasmeen played aggressively, picking up a win on court three. I liked our energy and eagerness in doubles.”

In singles, the Tide picked up four victories thanks to the play of Guarachi, McLane, Ebada, Foehse and freshman Emily Zabor. Guarachi, ranked 43rd, topped No. 85 Tomljanovic 7-5, 6-4, while No. 104 McLane collected a 7-6(4), 6-4 win over No. 89 Peretz. Ebada would come from behind to win in three sets against O’Koneiwski, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, while Zabor dominated sophomore Clare Spooner, 6-2, 6-0. In addition, Foehse took down Utah’s Sammie Watson 6-4, 6-1. No. 30 Hardenbergh would top 13th-ranked Macfarlane, 6-3, 7-6(5) to give the Cavaliers their first win of the day. Virginia would get two additional wins on the day as No. 75 Vierra would top Lindsey, 6-2, 6-3, and No. 76 Fuccillo with a 6-3, 6-2 win over sophomore Alex Clay.

“In singles, I felt like we competed well across the board and maintained our intensity,” added Mainz. “Alexa did a great job of finishing at number two giving the Tide our second win of the day. Courtney had a battle on her hands but did an excellent job of finding a way to get it done on a difficult day. Yasmeen, our new freshman, earned the game ball today with a laudable effort working through a tough three-setter. Yasmeen dug her way back after being down 0-3 and 2-4 in the third set. I felt like overall, from one to eight, the team competed with tenacity and we took a step forward as a team."

Alabama will wrap up play at the tournament on Monday.

RESULTS
Doubles
Guarachi/McLane (UA) def. Tomljanovic/Vierra (UVA) 8-5
Macfarlane/Foehse (UA) def. Hardenbergh/Fuccillo (UVA) 8-6
Lindsey/Ebada (UA) def. Peretz/O’Koniewski (UVA) 8-5

Singles
No. 30 Lindsey Hardenbergh (UVA) def. No. 13 Mary Anne Macfarlane (UA) 6-3, 7-6(5)
No. 43 Alexa Guarachi (UA) def. No. 85 Hana Tomljanovic (UVA) 7-5, 6-4
No. 104 Courtney McLane (UA) def. No. 89 Caryssa Peretz (UVA) 7-6(4), 6-4
No. 75 Erin Vierra (UVA) def. Taylor Lindsey (UA) 6-2, 6-3
No. 76 Maria Fuccillo (UVA) def. Alex Clay (UA) 6-3, 6-2
Yasmeen Ebada (UA) def. Molly O’Koniewski (UVA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Emily Zabor (UA) def. Clare Spooner (UVA) 6-2, 6-0
Antonia Foehse (UA) def. Sammie Watson (UTAH) 6-4, 6-1