Doubles struggle, seniors lead the comeback with singles skills
Vanderbilt tested the No. 15 Gators early but Florida prevails on senior day
Marlee Zein prepares a forehand return against LSU Feb. 26 Photo by Faith Buckley | The Independent Florida Alligator
The ball zoomed off the rackets of Florida duo Layne Sleeth and Ida Jarskog into Vandy’s Emma Kurtz and Marcella Cruz to ignite a chaotic final rally. The opponents did everything they could to break the cycle but the couples traded blows for more than ten rallies.
Finally, senior Jarlskog found the grand opportunity and punched in a final spike into Vanderbilt’s backcourt to put an end to the fight. The strategic placement gave the tandem a 6-2 win plus their teammates, McCartney Kessler and Marlee Zein, are gi
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Jessica Roberson March 5, 2021
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 23 Razorback women’s tennis team claimed an upset over Southeastern Conference foe, No. 9 Vanderbilt 4-3 on Friday afternoon at the Billingsley Tennis Center. The win moves Arkansas to 10-0 on the year while Vanderbilt falls to 10-2 overall.
Junior Laura Rijkers clinched the win for Arkansas with an exhilarating three-set victory over Vanderbilt’s Marcella Cruz on court six. After falling to Cruz 7-6 (5) in the first set, Rijkers fought back for an impressive 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-4 comeback.
Sophomore Kelly Keller and Rijkers gave Arkansas an early advantage in doubles play as they won their match against Vanderbilt’s Christina Rosca and Anessa Lee, 6-4. Freshmen pair Indianna Spink and Morgan Cross were leading on court two 5-4, but Commodores Emma Kurtz and Cruz forced the match into a tiebreaker set where the Razorbacks ultimately fell 7-6 (5).
No. 9 Jackets Host No. 15 Vanderbilt Sunday
THE FLATS – The 9th-ranked Georgia Tech women’s tennis team returns home for the first time since January on Sunday, welcoming No. 15 Vanderbilt to the Ken Byers Tennis Complex. First serve is slated for 11 a.m.
THE SCENE: Georgia Tech (7-3), which will face its fifth top-15 opponent in 10 days Sunday, looks to get back to winning ways, coming off a tough 4-1 loss last Thursday at No. 5 Georgia. The Yellow Jackets were led in Athens by senior Victoria Flores, who picked up her ninth singles win this season and improved to 8-0 in dual match play.