CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — After a slow start in doubles play, the LSU women’s tennis team won seven out of eight singles matches against Virginia to cap a successful day one at the UVa Team Invitational Friday.
All-American Megan Falcon, ranked No. 8 nationally in singles, got things rolling in Flight A with a straight-set, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Amanda Rales. In Flight B, sophomore Nicole Kantor won a tough, three-set match against Jennifer Stevens, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Tiffany Tucker, one of LSU’s two seniors, continued to display the improvement she made over the summer and in the fall by knocking off Lindsey Pereira in Flight C, 6-0, 6-3. The Lady Tigers’ one defeat in singles came in Flight D when Hannah Robinson fell in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4 to Maggie Yahner.
After losing the first set against Lara Alexander in Flight E, junior Mykala Hedberg rallied for the win, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. In Flight F, Staten Spencer controlled the match from the beginning as she knocked off Cathy Nimitz, 6-0, 6-0.
Senior Anastasiya Dubova and freshman Kylie Adamek both competed in Flight G, and each pulled out a three-set, super tiebreaker win. Dubova defeated Hampton Williams, 6-3, 5-7, 10-5. Adamek beat Lauren Downing, 6-3, 4-6, 10-6.
“We got off to a good start in the tournament,” LSU head coach Tony Minnis said. “I was really pleased with how we played because everyone looked sharp in singles. We need to correct the doubles and improve in that area, so hopefully we can come out stronger tomorrow and play well.”
Despite being up 6-3 in doubles Flight A, Falcon and Robinson could not hold on as Pereira and Yahner came back to win, 9-8 (8). In Flight B, the 30th-ranked duo of Hedberg and Spencer fell to Stevens and Rales, 8-0. The Lady Tigers pulled out a victory in Flight C when Dubova and Tucker defeated Alexander and Williams, 8-3, and in Flight D, Kantor and Adamek paired up together for the first time and beat Downing and Nimitz, 8-4.
LSU will continue tournament play tomorrow at 9 a.m. CT against 21st-ranked Wake Forest.
UVa Team Invitational
Day One Results
Singles
Flight A
#8 Megan Falcon (LSU) def. Amanda Rales (UVa) 6-1, 6-4
Flight B
Nicole Kantor (LSU) def. Jennifer Stevens (UVa) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
Flight C
Tiffany Tucker (LSU) def. Lindsey Pereira (UVa) 6-0, 6-3
Flight D
Maggie Yahner (UVa) def. Hannah Robinson (LSU) 6-1, 6-4
Flight E
Mykala Hedberg (LSU) def. Lara Alexander (UVa) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
Flight F
Staten Spencer (LSU) def. Cathy Nimitz (UVa) 6-0, 6-0
Flight G
Anastasiya Dubova (LSU) def. Hampton Williams (UVa) 6-3, 5-7, 10-5
Kylie Adamek (LSU) def. Lauren Downing (UVa) 6-3, 4-6, 10-6
Doubles
Flight A
Pereira/Yahner (UVa) def. Falcon/Robinson (LSU) 9-8 (8)
Flight B
Stevens/Rales (UVa) def. #30 Hedberg/Spencer (LSU) 8-0
Flight C
Dubova/Tucker (LSU) def. Alexander/Williams (UVa) 8-3
Flight D
Kantor/Adamek (LSU) def. Downing/Nimitz (UVa) 8-4
Day Two Schedule
LSU vs. #21 Wake Forest, 9 a.m.