University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
South Carolina State
Georgia Blanks SC State, 4-0
May 13, 2017 | Women's Tennis
Ellen Perez and head coach Jeff Wallace talk about Georgia women's tennis's first round win over South Carolina State in the NCAA Tournament.
May 13, 2017
ATHENS, Ga. - The fifth-ranked Georgia women's tennis team shut out South Carolina State 4-0 Saturday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Championships at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
The Bulldogs (18-5) raced through doubles, winning without dropping a game on the first two courts. Georgia carried its dominance into singles play as they took all six first sets with Marta Gonzalez, Caroline Brinson and Ellen Perez ultimately winning to secure the victory. The Bulldogs advance to tomorrow's second round match against North Carolina State who defeated Oregon 4-2 earlier in the day.
"I thought we really played some great tennis," Georgia head coach Jeff Wallace said. "You never really know in that first round, but I thought our players came out ready. They have been practicing hard and have been on a mission. In doubles I thought everyone played really well and I thought the same in singles. It was just a really great first match for us."
Perez, ranked 12th in ITA singles, clinched the match as her last volley tipped the net and landed out of reach of South Carolina State's Intissar Rassif. The clinch was Perez's first of the season.
"It's always nice to move on in the NCAA tournament and to do it at home is always great in front of our home fans," Perez said. "We are super excited to get the tournament started and to get that first win. Getting that point on the board and the win for the team is really awesome. We are looking forward to our next match now."
On court No. 5, Gonzalez swept away Claudia Roca 6-0, 6-0 for the first finished singles match. Moments later on court No. 4, Brinson's overhead slam sealed the win over Marketa Marcanikova in straight sets as well.
In doubles, the nation's third-ranked duo of Perez/Brinson defeated the visiting Bulldogs' tandem Intissar Rassif and Andjela Vasic on court one. Shortly after, Christofi/Shaffer, ranked 38th in ITA doubles, notched their seventh doubles clincher of the season, dispatching Andjela Mihajlovic and Claudia Roca on court No. 2.
Freshman Abby Walter made her dual season debut, getting the nod at the No. 6 singles position. The Thomasville, Ga. native was up a set when the match was clinched.
The Bulldogs' second round match against the Wolfpack of N.C. State is slotted for Sunday at 2 p.m.
FINAL: #5 GEORGIA (18-5) 4, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (9-11) 0
Coaches: Hardeep Judge (South Carolina State) and Jeff Wallace (Georgia)
Doubles
- #3 Ellen Perez/Elena Christofi (GEORGIA) def. Intissar Rassif/Andjela Vasic (SOUTH CAROLINA STATE), 6-0
- #38 Elena Christofi/Kennedy Shaffer (GEORGIA) def. Andjela Mihajlovic/Claudia Roca (SOUTH CAROLINA STATE), 6-0
- Mariana Gould/Marta Gonzalez (GEORGIA) vs. Oleksandra Fillipova/Smaranda Petreanu (SOUTH CAROLINA STATE), 4-1, uf
Singles
- #12 Ellen Perez (GEORGIA) def. Intissar Rassif (SOUTH CAROLINA STATE), 6-0, 6-1
- #20 Elena Christofi (GEORGIA) vs. Oleksandra Fillipova (SOUTH CAROLINA STATE), 6-1, 4-0, uf
- #52 Kennedy Shaffer (GEORGIA) vs. Andjela Vasic (SOUTH CAROLINA STATE), 6-1, 3-1, uf
- #66 Caroline Brinson (GEORGIA) def. Marketa Marcanikova (SOUTH CAROLINA STATE), 6-0, 6-0
- Marta Gonzalez (GEORGIA) def. Claudia Roca (SOUTH CAROLINA STATE), 6-0, 6-0
- Abby Walter (GEORGIA) vs. Smaranda Petreanu (SOUTH CAROLINA STATE), 6-1, 1-4, uf
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2) Singles (5,4,1)
Players Mentioned
