Mississippi State
Vanderbilt
MSU Women?s Tennis Edged 4-3 In SEC Opener At No. 13 Vanderbilt
February 28, 2015 | Women's Tennis
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Although Mississippi State opened the match on a strong note by taking the doubles point, the 63rd-ranked Bulldogs (9-2 overall, 0-1 SEC) were not able to carry the momentum into singles play, falling just short in a 4-3 decision to 13th-ranked Vanderbilt (6-4 overall, 1-0 SEC) Friday.
Like they have done all season, the Bulldogs opened with a strong start in doubles, as the doubles tandem of Timea Guibe and Louise Ronaldson took an 8-6 decision on court three against Vandy's Courtney Colton and Payton Robinette. MSU then delivered the doubles clincher at No. 2, as Martina Frantova and Naomi Tran took down the Commodores' Marie Casares and Frances Altick. Doubles play was suspended with Jasmine Lee and Georgiana Patrasc trailing 7-6 to the 33rd-ranked duo of Ashleigh Antal and Astra Sharma at No. 1.
However, the Commodores jumped out to an early advantage in singles by taking all of the first sets. MSU freshman Louise Ronaldson was the first to fall, dropping a 6-2, 6-1 decision on court four to VU's Ashleigh Antal. Moments later, Martina Frantova fell 6-4, 6-2 on No. 3, falling to 123rd-ranked Frances Altick.
Despite dropping the first set on court 1, No. 75 Georgiana Patrasc battled back to make things close in the second, but eventually fell 6-3, 7-5 to 98th-ranked Astra Sharma. Vanderbilt then earned the match clincher on No. 2, as Jasmine Lee fell 7-5, 6-0 to the Commodores' 103rd-ranked Courtney Colton.
State did rally to earn a couple of victories following the clinch. Freshman Jennifer Brown battled back from a loss in the first set, taking the next two for a 3-6, 7-6 (6), 1-0 (7) win at No. 5 against 63rd-ranked Marie Casares. The win gave Brown her first career victory against a ranked opponent. Timea Guibe followed with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 performance against Payton Robinette on court six, to remain unbeaten in dual match play at 8-0.
Mississippi State will now turn its focus to Sunday, as the Bulldogs travel to Lexington to face the 25th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats. In last year's meeting in Starkville, the Bulldogs dropped a close 4-3 contest to the Wildcats.
For more information on Mississippi State women's tennis and updates, fans can follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at HailStateWT.
No. 13 Vanderbilt 4, No. 63 Mississippi State 3
February 27, 2015 – Currey Tennis Center – Nashville, Tenn.
Doubles
1. Lee/Patrasc (MSU) vs. No. 33 Antal/Sharma (VU), 6-7, susp.
2. Frantova/Tran (MSU) def. Altick/Casares (VU), 8-6
3. Guibe/Ronaldson (MSU) def. Colton/Robinette (VU), 8-6
Singles
1. No. 98 Astra Sharma (VU) def. No. 75 Georgiana Patrasc (MSU), 6-3, 7-5
2. No. 103 Courtney Colton (VU) def. Jasmine Lee (MSU), 7-5, 6-1
3. No. 123 Francis Altick (VU) def. Martina Frantova (MSU), 6-4, 6-2
4. Ashleigh Antal (VU) def. Louise Ronaldson (MSU), 6-2, 6-1
5. Jennifer Brown (MSU) def. No. 63 Marie Casares (VU), 3-6, 7-6 (6), 1-0 (7)
6. Timea Guibe (MSU) def. Payton Robinette (VU), 6-0, 6-0
Order of finish
Doubles: 3,2
Singles: 4,3,1,2,5,6
Players Mentioned
